‘Asia’s Most Notorious Gambling Kingpin Had PH Dealings’

Explore Wang Shuiming’s rise in the Philippine gambling industry, his criminal network, and his role in offshore gaming and money laundering.

Research unearthed the role of Chinese businessman Wang Shuiming in the Philippines, as he mounted a gambling empire in the country before leaving a trail of financial crimes across Southeast Asia. 

Early Days in the Philippines

Chinese businessman Wang Shuiming built a massive gambling empire in the Philippines before fleeing, leaving a trail of financial crimes across Southeast Asia.

According to China-based Qingliu Studio, Wang arrived in the Philippines between 2012 and 2013. He saw an opportunity in the country’s booming online gambling market. Industry insiders called him "Ming Da" or "Da Ming Zong." As one of the first Fujianese entrepreneurs in the sector, he recognized the potential early and moved quickly to take advantage.

Building a Gambling Empire

By 2016, Wang's gambling network had grown fast. He controlled several online gaming platforms and employed over 10,000 people, including IT staff, finance teams, and marketing specialists. His payroll topped 100 million yuan (PHP793 million) each month.

More Fujianese operators followed Wang to the Philippines, expanding his influence. His platforms primarily targeted Chinese players and exploited offshore loopholes to bypass China’s strict gambling laws. His platforms mainly served Chinese players, taking advantage of offshore loopholes to bypass China’s strict gambling laws.

Breaking the Rules

Although the Philippines had a licensing system for offshore gaming (POGOs), Wang repeatedly violated the regulations. As authorities tightened oversight in 2019, he moved to Singapore. Even after leaving, he kept strong business ties in the Philippines through real estate and partnerships.

Hiding Money and Expanding Abroad

In Singapore, Wang set up shell companies to hide his gambling profits. He moved money through offshore accounts and bought properties worldwide to cover his tracks while law enforcement struggled to catch him. 

Authorities finally caught up with Wang in Montenegro. He was arrested while attempting to travel using a fake passport.

Wang played a major role in shaping offshore gambling in the Philippines. His rise mirrored the rapid growth of offshore gaming operations in the country, which later faced heavy scrutiny from both Philippine and Chinese authorities.  The Philippines was just his starting point, but his operations—and the problems they created—spread far beyond its borders.

Read related article: Asia's Most Notorious Gambling Kingpin Arrested