Sio Ieng Chau

Sio Ieng Chau, also named Sio Tang, mainly engaged in running fan-tan houses. When the gaming industry of Macao stepped into a new era during the 20th century, the traditional Vae Seng Lottery was gradually replaced by gaming in fan-tan houses. Sio Ieng Chau was the second most successful operator of fan-tan houses in Macao after Ho Lo Quai and his son, Ho Lin Vong. He even brought in business investors from Guangzhou to bid for the exclusive right to operation of fan-tan game in Macao and opened many fan-tan houses across the city after the consortium won the exclusivity. In 1916, he teamed up with Lou Lim Ioc in the secret rescue of Huang Mingtang, a member of the Kuomintang who was held in custody by the local Portuguese government. The successful release of Huang was one of few known political rescue operations in the history of Macao. With the founding of the Macao Chamber of Commerce in 1913, Sio Ieng Chau was its first director and remained in office for 17 years.