Gambling Mogul Escalante Departs Court Amid Renewed Bail Hearings

Laurence Escalante Laurence Escalante, the billionaire founder of online gaming company Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), made a brief appearance in the Perth Magistrates Court before being escorted from the premises by private security amid a media presence. The appearance forms part of ongoing proceedings related to domestic violence and drug-related charges, with the businessman seeking variations to his bail conditions. Background to the Proceedings Escalante was first arrested and charged in early 2026 in connection with the alleged assault of his former partner.