Part III: Business & Regulation · Banking, Chips & Financial Operations

71. Junket (Junket Operator)

Asia-Pacific Variations

A junket operator is an independent business entity that recruits high-roller gambling patrons (primarily from mainland China), arranges their travel to casino destinations (primarily Macau), extends them credit, and collects their gambling debts upon their return home. In exchange, junket operators receive a commission from the casino based on the players’ rolling chip turnover or theoretical win. Junket operators function as the primary customer acquisition channel for Macau’s VIP gaming rooms, which historically accounted for over 50% of Macau’s total gaming revenue. The junket operator supplies the players while the casino provides the gaming facility, dealers, and regulatory compliance. Junket operators are subject to licensing and regulation in most jurisdictions.

In practice

Macau’s junket industry underwent significant regulatory reform following the 2016 Dore Holdings incident and the 2021 arrest of Alvin Chau, the “Junket King.” New regulations require enhanced due diligence, capital requirements, and str oversight of junket operations.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.