Entrepreneur Laurence Emmanuel Escalante, whose Virtual Gaming Worlds company includes virtual slot machines, poker games and online casinos, allegedly assaulted a woman at her Perth home on Australia Day.
The 44-year-old appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his bail was varied, and a suppression order banning media from identifying the alleged victim was amended.
Outside court one of Escalante's minders, who was carrying an umbrella, shoved past an ABC cameraman pinned against a wall, dislodging his glasses from his face.
It led to a short altercation between the pair as Escalante continued to be shepherded through the media pack to a waiting Land Rover Defender.
Worth $4.5 billion according to the Australian Financial Review's most recent Rich List, Escalante was tight-lipped and composed as he calmly walked to the 4WD amid a flurry of questions from reporters, including how he was dealing with the prospect of losing his empire if he is convicted.
Police allege that Escalante unlawfully entered the woman's home, who was known to him, on January 26 and assaulted her.
He is also accused of stealing property from the residence and damaging it.Â
Other charges relate to alleged family violence incidents between June 2025 and January.
Police executed a search warrant at a property on January 29 and allegedly found a trafficable quantity of illicit drugs.
He was initially facing eight charges, including assault, burglary, persistently engaging in family violence and possession of cocaine with intent to sell or supply.
But court documents updated on Thursday revealed a slew of fresh charges not mentioned in court.
These include six counts of unlawfully possessing a controlled or prescription drug and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, bringing the total number of charges to 16.
Escalante's bail conditions initially prohibited him from coming within 500 metres of an international point of departure, but that was amended to not being able to enter a building that was a departure point, so he can drive past locations such as the Port of Fremantle, the court heard.
The tech billionaire also only needs to report to police one day a week instead of three following the amendments.
A court-issued suppression order was also updated, prohibiting the publication of Escalante's or his alleged victim's home address.
Escalante stepped down as Virtual Gaming Worlds' chief executive and chairman on January 30, with a company press release stating he would take a leave of absence.
Mats Johnson was appointed acting chief executive several days later.
Escalante will return to court on June 18.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
23°C