Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Suspects in alleged World Cup betting scheme freed from custody

A wealthy Malaysian businessman who was charged in a World Cup betting scheme has been let out of jail after his poker-star friends posted his bail and immigration officials cleared his release.

Fifty-year-old Wei Seng Phua and his 22-year-old son, Darren Phua, are among eight people charged with setting up an illegal sports book in a Caesars Palace villa and taking World Cup bets. Bail was set for $2 million for the father and $500,000 for the son.

Poker professional Andrew Robl and 10-time World Series of Poker Champion Phil Ivey together posted $2.5 million to secure the Phuas' release.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Tuesday that they reviewed the Phuas' case and revoked a hold that had kept them in jail even after bail was posted.

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