LAI CHANGXING has been accused of operating an illegal gambling operation out of his suburban home in Canada, according to an immigration detention hearing July 18.

    It was the first time police have directly linked Lai to criminal activity in Canada.

    A Vancouver officer accused Lai of running the gambling den via computer terminals in a residential house and partnering with a loan shark to collect high interest fees from gamblers.

    Lai fled China for Canada in 1999 after learning he was about to be arrested for tax evasion and other corruption charges. Since then, he has fought a lengthy court battle to stay in Canada.

    Vancouver detective James Fisher said at last Monday’s immigration hearing that a source told him in 2009 that Lai was in charge of a gambling operation.

    Fisher said the operation was networked via computer terminals with players inside the residence playing opponents in Macao.

    He said Lai also offered private chefs and masseuses for gamblers who came to the house, located in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond. Loans with high interest rates were also given to customers, Fisher said.(Han Ximin)