A logo of Suncity Group is displayed at its office in Hong Kong, Dec 1, 2021. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)

MACAO - The founder of Macao's Suncity Group Alvin Chau Cheok-wa was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Wednesday over illegally operating gambling activities, running a mafia-style organization, and fraud, according to the Court of First Instance of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Several other co-defendants in the case were also sentenced to years in prison.

According to the court ruling, Chau is also sentenced to pay the Macao SAR government HK$6.52 billion (about $833.3 million) in civil compensation.

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In November 2021, Macao police detained Chau and other suspects for being involved in illegally running gambling businesses or money laundering, and referred the case to procurators.