CO-CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Macau Legend Development
POWER SCORE: 664
POSITION LAST YEAR: 40
CLAIMS TO FAME
- Developer of Macau Fisherman’s Wharf with hotels, casinos, restaurants, retail and entertainment
- Sold 20.65% of company to Tak Chun Group Chairman Levo Chan in September
- Operates Savan Legend Resort in Laos
We may be watching David Chow’s exit strategy. Or Chow may be writing the next chapter of his lively tale as a leading Macau satellite casino operator under SJM’s license, and hospitality entrepreneur with global aspirations.
In September, Hong Kong-listed Macau Legend announced Chow sold 20.65% of the company to Tak Chun Group Chairman Levo Chan. Chow will stay on as Macau Legend’s co-Chairman, and his wife Melinda Chan, who succeeded him as CEO in March, will continue in that role. The couple also agreed to retain their remaining 9.89% share of the company that owns two casinos and four hotels in its Macau Fisherman’s Wharf district near the peninsula’s Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal alongside retail, entertainment and convention offerings, plus Savan Legend Resort in Lao PDR, catering to Thai players.
Beyond Asia, Macau Legend is developing a hotel and casino in Portuguese-speaking Cape Verde, the 10 island nation off the west coast of Africa. Chow is reportedly pursuing other business interests in Cape Verde, and the HK$1.3 billion (US$173 million) he banked from the share sale may help that cause.
A junket promoter working with Stanley Ho during the 1980s, Chow became an early satellite casino operator. A former Macau legislator – his wife was also a lawmaker – Chow has long campaigned for (his) satellite operations to be granted their own casino concessions. Perhaps Macau Legend’s revamped ownership will advance that goal.
For the full list of 2020 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
