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Perth Billionaire Charged After Alleged Assault
30 Jan
Summary
- Gaming tycoon Laurence Escalante faces eight charges, including assault.
- Allegations include family violence, assault, and property damage.
- Illicit drugs were reportedly found during a search warrant.
Laurence Escalante, the 44-year-old founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds and a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion, has been charged with eight offenses. The charges include an alleged assault on a 24-year-old woman at her Perth home on Australia Day, involving theft and property damage.
Further serious allegations relate to family violence incidents that reportedly occurred between June 2025 and January 2026. These include persistent family violence, aggravated assault, and criminal damage. Police also reported finding a trafficable quantity of cocaine and MDMA during a search of a residence.
Escalante, who founded Virtual Gaming Worlds in 2010 and has casino customers in the United States, was granted bail. He has indicated his intention to contest all charges.
