Gaming billionaire Laurence Escalante faced court to amend his bail and suppression order in a bid which could see him gain access to his private jet, while also being hit with nine fresh charges.
Gaming billionaire Laurence Escalante faced court to amend his bail and suppression order in a bid which could see him gain access to his private jet, while also being hit with nine fresh charges.
The Perth-based founder of online gaming empire VGW faced Perth Magistrates Court this morning seeking several amendments to his condition.
Mr Escalante also had nine charges added; three counts of possessing a prohibited drug, and six counts of unlawfully possessing a controlled or prescription drug.
Among the amendments to his bail conditions was a change to a condition previously prohibited him from being within 500 metres of a departures building.
The amendment, which was allowed with no objection from the prosecution, removed the 500 metre requirement; instead changing to "to not leave Western Australia or enter an international departures building".
During proceedings, Mr Escalante's lawyer Simon Freitag from Albert Wolff Chambers said it was being sought due to the 500 metre rule meaning Mr Escalante could enter the prohibited zone while travelling on the freeway.
He also said it stopped Mr Escalante from picking people up from the airport; and prevented him from entering the Port of Fremantle.
A suppression order previously in place prohibiting the publication of any residence or vessel the defendant, his children or the victim reside or travel in.
That order was amended to include the word "aircraft".
His bail conditions which mandated three check-ins per week were also amended to require just one check-in.
Mr Escalante's matters were also all moved to the same day, being June 18.
The VGW founder was flanked by security while exiting Perth Magistrates Court this morning.
Surrounded by media, Mr Escalante avoided reporters' questions before getting into a car which was waiting by the side of the court.
However, a cameraman was involved in a tussle as Mr Escalante and his security made their way to the car.
A cameraman was involved in a tussle as Laurence Escalante (right) walked out of court. Photo: Nadia Budihardjo
Mr Escalante, who has taken a leave of absence from his role as chief executive and chairman of VGW, is facing one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell or supply, one count of possession of ecstasy with intent to sell or supply and one count of possession of prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply.
He has vowed to defend the charges.
The 44-year-old founder of VGW Holdings has an estimated fortune worth $3.16 billion, according to the Business News Rich 100, making him Western Australia's 10th wealthiest person.
He owns a luxury vehicle collection estimated to be worth over $120 million. That includes a McLaren Solus GT, one of just 25 ever produced with a price tag of US$4 million; an Aston Martin Valkyrie worth between US$3-4m; two 65-foot Lamborghini speedboats priced at US$5 million each; a boat worth over US$9 million and countless Ferraris and Bentleys.
He also has a private jet, estimated to cost between $82 million and $97 million, along with an extensive watch collection, including a Richard Mille x Pharrell worth over US$1 million alone.
In addition to the drugs offences, Mr Escalante is facing charges of aggravated home burglary, stealing, aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, criminal damage or destruction of property and persistently engaging in family violence.
Those charges related to an alleged incident involving a 24-year-old former partner that took place in her home on Australia Day. The drugs were allegedly found by police after they executed a search warrant on his house.
Mr Escalante issued a statement through his family office following his arrest, in which he vowed to fight the charges.
"My arrest on these matters has come as a shock to myself and my family," he said.
"From the little I know of the allegations at this stage, I can only say that they are untrue and will be defended. I ask that both mine and my family’s privacy be respected, and thank them for their support."
Mr Escalante was granted bail to report to police three times a week, now amended to once a week. He provided a surety of $100,000.
His fortune has grown exponentially since COVID after VGW, trading as Virtual Gaming Worlds, saw a huge uptick in usage of its online games, including Chumba Casino and Global Poker, primarily by customers in the US.
VGW has thrived despite pushback from regulators who say its games constitute online gambling, which is illegal in most US states.
Mr Escalante is the company’s founder and owns the business after buying out minority shareholders last year.
The online gaming company had been 30 per cent owned by others, having grown external shareholders beyond friends, family and staff ahead of a planned IPO.
That float was abandoned a few years ago and Mr Escalante moved to take full ownership last year, offering about $800 million to the minority shareholders which valued the whole business at $2.92 billion.
More than 90 per cent of those other shareholders opted to take the offer, by a new company called Ocean Bidco which was based in the self-governing British Crown dependency and tax-haven of Guernsey.
That left Mr Escalante’s interests holding about 90 per cent of VGW.
It is also the biggest shareholder in Curtin University technology spin-out icetana AI, with about 30 per cent of the ASX-listed video surveillance firm.
Mr Escalante will next face court on June 18.
