Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho Hung-sun was a Hong Kong and Macau businessman best known for founding SJM Holdings and dominating Macau’s casino industry for decades.
Stanley Ho Hung-sun was a Hong Kong and Macau businessman best known for founding SJM Holdings and dominating Macau’s casino industry for decades. He was widely described as the “king of gambling” and helped transform Macau into a major global gaming centre. He died in Hong Kong in 2020 at the age of 98.
Early life
Stanley Ho was born in Hong Kong in 1921 and later became one of the most prominent businessmen in Hong Kong and Macau. Sources describe him as Eurasian of Dutch descent and note that he grew up in British Hong Kong.
Casino business
Ho became the dominant figure in Macau’s gambling industry after securing a monopoly licence in 1961. Through SJM Holdings, he controlled a large share of the territory’s casinos for decades. He was nicknamed the “king of gambling” and “godfather of gambling” because of his dominance in Macau’s gaming industry.
Other business interests
Beyond gaming, Ho built interests in shipping, property, tourism, and hospitality. He also founded Shun Tak Holdings in 1972, which became associated with ferry and transport services between Hong Kong and Macau.
Death and legacy
Ho died in Hong Kong in 2020 at the age of 98. Obituaries described him as a key figure in the rise of Macau as the world’s largest gambling hub and one of Asia’s most influential casino magnates.
Key facts
- Stanley Ho founded and led SJM Holdings, the company associated with his long control of Macau’s casino market.
- He was nicknamed the “king of gambling” because of his dominance in Macau’s gaming industry.
- Ho obtained a government-granted monopoly in Macau’s casino sector that lasted for about 40 years.
- His business interests also extended into shipping, property, tourism, and hospitality.
- He died in Hong Kong on 26 May 2020 at the age of 98.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Stanley Ho?
Why was Stanley Ho famous?
What was SJM Holdings?
How long did Stanley Ho control Macau’s casino monopoly?
When did Stanley Ho die?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_HoSupports: Birth and death dates, full name, SJM Holdings, Macau casino monopoly, and death in 2020.
- ABC News — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-27/stanley-ho,-who-built-macaos-gambling-industry,-dies-at-98/12290078Supports: Role in building Macau’s gambling industry and death at age 98.
- The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/26/stanley-ho-the-billionaire-macao-casino-tycoon-dies-aged-98Supports: Macau casino dominance, global influence, philanthropy, and death.
- Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/5/26/macaus-stanley-ho-the-king-of-gambling-dies-at-98Supports: Monopoly licence in 1961, SJM Holdings, and Macau casino operations.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52803396Supports: Macau transformation, SJM Holdings value, and death at age 98.
- The University of Hong Kong — https://www4.hku.hk/hongrads/graduates/gr-of-o-i-h-chev-leg-d-hon-c-st-j-hon-d-soc-sc-stanley-hoSupports: Business interests beyond gaming, including tourism and transport links between Hong Kong and Macau.