Early Life
Lawrence Ho was born in Hong Kong in 1976. He is the son of Stanley Ho, a prominent figure in the Macau casino industry. As a child, he moved to Canada, where he attended Upper Canada College. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in commerce from the University of Toronto in 1999. Ho also holds an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University, which he received in July 2009.
Rise to Success
Ho began his career in investment banking. In 2001, he took over operations at Melco International, a company initially involved in the Macau gaming business. He then founded Melco Resorts & Entertainment in 2004. Under Ho's leadership, Melco Resorts secured a gaming license in Macau in 2006. The company then expanded its operations and built several integrated resorts, including City of Dreams and Studio City in Macau, and City of Dreams Manila in the Philippines. Melco Resorts has received numerous awards for its properties, including Forbes Five-Star and Michelin awards. In 2024, Ho was recognized as "Asia's Best CEO" at the Asian Excellence Awards for the thirteenth time.
Key Business Strategies
Ho's key business strategies include a focus on integrated resorts, offering a variety of non-gaming amenities to attract diverse visitors. He has emphasized the development of innovative resort concepts, such as the Hollywood-themed Studio City. Melco has also secured gaming concessions and expanded its operations in Asia and Europe. The company has been recognized for its quality and innovation, which has helped it maintain a strong position in the competitive casino market. Melco's expansion into Europe, particularly the City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus, has further diversified its revenue streams.
Philanthropy
Details regarding Lawrence Ho's specific philanthropic initiatives are limited in the search results, but his family and company are involved in various community initiatives.