1. 8 accused of illegal World Cup betting in Vegas
Agents reported finding a laptop computer logging illegal wagers and other records.
Phua's lawyer, David Chesnoff, argued in court that his client has the means to leave the country but
has cooperated with authorities since a July 9 raid.
The prosecutor said casino officials cooperated in setting up computer equipment in the three rooms
but became concerned that the arrangement, which featured multiple monitors and large television
screens tuned to World Cup games, appeared to be a setup for an illegal gambling operation.
In court, Chesnoff questioned whether the triad was still operating or whether the allegation was
"historical.".
Wei Seng Phua, 50, a suspected organized crime member, and the others were named in a criminal
complaint detailing the scheme to take bets over WiFi and DSL lines they had casino employees
install in their suites at Caesars Palace.
"He had access to an aircraft that can fly anywhere in the world," Chesnoff said of Phua, who has an
estimated worth of as much as $400 million. Attorney Daniel Bogden said the Las Vegas operation
began shortly after Phua left the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau, where he had been arrested
June 18 and posted bail on similar allegations of illegal wagering on World Cup soccer games.
Bogden said that if convicted, each could face up to two years in federal prison on an unlawful
transmission count and up to five years in prison on an illegal gambling business count, as well as
fines on each count of up to $250,000.
Phua must post $2 million cash bail, wear a GPS monitoring device and put up his $48 million
private Gulfstream jet as collateral, among other conditions.
None of the suspects entered pleas at the hearing.
The others arrested were identified as Phua's son Darren Wai Kit Phua, 22; Seng Chen Yong, 56, and
Wai Kin Yong, 22, all of Malaysia; Hui Tang, 44, of China; and Yan Zhang, 40, Yung Keung Fan, 46,
and Herman Chun Sang Yeung, 36, all of Hong Kong.
The criminal complaint noted that at least some transactions in Las Vegas appeared to have been
conducted over a website called "SBOBET."
FBI and Nevada Gaming Control Board agents made the arrests Sunday after raids on Wednesday in
three Caesars suites. 4 preliminary hearing.
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Eight people from Malaysia, China and Hong Kong were accused Monday of
operating a temporary, illegal gambling ring from exclusive high-roller villas at a Las Vegas Strip
resort that investigators said logged millions of dollars in bets on FIFA World Cup soccer games.
Phua is from Malaysia. Bogden identified him as a high-ranking member of 14K Triad, an organized
2. crime group.
U.S. "In fact, he stayed here."
During their arraignment, a federal judge granted a request that Phua and his son, a co-defendant,
stay with a Las Vegas doctor and poker enthusiast while awaiting an Aug
