Ho Lo Quai

Ho Lo Quai, also named Ho Kuai or Ho Quai, was a native of Shunde district of Guangdong province who had played a significant role in bringing Vae Seng Lottery to Macao. In between 1863 and 1866, the Guangdong provincial government granted permission to Guang Son Tong to run Vae Seng Lottery for the purpose of raising fund to meet the “expenses for paying the soldiers”. Ho Lo Quai, Chan Hang, Leong Luk, Fung Seng and Pan Yuk had their first taste of wealth through running Vae Seng Lottery in Guangdong. In 1868, Ho Lo Quai, Pan Yuk and their partners brought Vae Seng Lottery to Macao and founded the “Chi Chong Vo Vae Seng” Company, the first company in Macao granted with the exclusive right to operate gambling business.

In between 1862 and 1874, Ho Lo Quai won the concession for operation of pier service and collection of berthing fees at the Caldeira waters of the Interior Harbor from the Portuguese government of Macao. He was in charge of the Guild of Livestock Slaughtering Trade for many years while his business in the salt industry was extensive, enjoying the exclusive right to sell refined salt in the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane islands.