B.C. Seeks $880K from Alleged Casino Boss in Money Laundering Case

The British Columbia government is seeking the return of $880,000 deposited as a bond by Tujie Lai, suspected of leading a criminal gang running Macau casinos. 

Filed in the B.C. Supreme Court, the lawsuit claims the bond was paid in October 2019 after Lai, detained by U.S. authorities for illegal border crossing, was transferred to Canada. 

Lai, who claims self-employment, is wanted in China for kidnapping, extortion, and gang activities. The lawsuit alleges Lai’s casino transactions in B.C. suggest money laundering, citing $250,000 spent on chips in 2017 and improperly packaged cash at River Rock Casino in 2018. 

A 2018 report labeled B.C. casinos as "laundering machines" for criminal money. Lai reportedly admitted his wealth comes from Macau’s "junket industry," which offers incentives to attract casino players. No accusations have been proven in court.