Hong Kong politicians, tycoons and celebrities joined grieving relatives Friday at the funeral of Stanley Ho, the flamboyant gaming magnate who made his fortune in neighbouring Macau.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arrives at the funeral of late Macau tycoon Stanley Ho
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arrives at the funeral of late Macau tycoon Stanley Ho AFP / Anthony WALLACE

It was the third day of ceremonies for the Hong Kong-born Ho, who played an integral role in transforming the former Portuguese colony from a sleepy outpost into the world's biggest casino hub.

Floral wreaths were left near the funeral venue
Floral wreaths were left near the funeral venue AFP / Anthony WALLACE

He died at the age of 98 on May 26.

Local politicians including city leader Carrie Lam paid tribute to gaming magnate Stanley Ho
Local politicians including city leader Carrie Lam paid tribute to gaming magnate Stanley Ho AFPTV / Daniel SUEN

In the morning, black-clad family members including Ho's daughter Pansy and his fourth wife Angela Leong arrived at the funeral home, in the northeast of Hong Kong Island.

Local politicians including city leader Carrie Lam, as well as her predecessors Leung Chun-ying and Tung Chee-hwa, arrived at about noon, as did Luo Huining, director of Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong.

Profile of Stanley Ho and map of Macau highlighting the casinos run by the Sociedade de Jogos de Macao Holdings which was founded by Ho.
Profile of Stanley Ho and map of Macau highlighting the casinos run by the Sociedade de Jogos de Macao Holdings which was founded by Ho. AFP / Laurence CHU

City tycoons and businesspeople -- including property mogul Thomas Kwok and banker David Li -- joined film star Brigitte Lin among the few hundred guests paying tribute.

A public memorial had been held on Thursday and hundreds of white floral wreaths with messages of condolence were placed around the corner of the venue.

Ho was known as the "godfather" of Macau casinos, having been instrumental in turning the city on China's southern coast into a gambling boomtown with gaming revenue surpassing Las Vegas.

He is survived by three wives and 15 of his 17 children. Speculation about how his vast fortune -- estimated at HK$50 billion ($6.4 billion) -- would be divided among his offspring has long occupied Hong Kong's tabloid media, along with public family feuds.