In the opening quarter of 2025, Macau witnessed a dramatic increase in illegal gambling cases with a total of 161 incidents recorded, reflecting an astonishing 906.3 percent rise compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed to stricter enforcement under the newly implemented “Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling,” which took effect on October 29. The legislation serves as a crucial foundation for authorities in Macau to effectively combat gambling-related crimes. Among the key features of this law is the criminalization of unlicensed money exchange activities connected to gambling, a change that has significantly contributed to the increase in recorded offenses during the first few months of 2025.
Effectiveness of New Law and Cross-Border Cooperation
The Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, emphasized on Wednesday that the new legislative measures have been highly effective in tackling illegal gambling activities. The first quarter enforcement data reveals significant progress, with 132 cases involving unauthorized money exchange activities reported, which constitute over 60 percent of the growth in gambling-related criminal cases year-on-year. Furthermore, the cooperation between Macau's police and the authorities in Guangdong played a pivotal role in dismantling several criminal networks linked with gaming crimes, leading to an increased rate of case reporting. During these operations, 251 individuals suspected of being involved with illegal money changing were detained, marking an over 80 percent decrease from the previous year. This outcome has contributed to a stabilized order and enhanced security in Macau's casinos and adjoining areas.
Overall Crime and Security Observations
Throughout the first quarter of 2025, Macau registered a total of 567 gambling-related criminal activities, a 61.5 percent uptick compared to the previous year. Secretary Wong attributes this rise not only to the new regulatory framework but also to the revival of the tourism and gaming sectors. Of particular note was the doubling of fraud cases, which reached 152 incidents. Despite these figures, the overall number of criminal investigations saw a decline of 7.3 percent, with 3,289 cases initiated by the police in the first quarter. In his comments, Secretary Wong affirmed the continuous effort of Macau’s security forces to vigilantly monitor and adapt to evolving crime trends related to gambling, aiming to enhance their preventative and enforcement actions. The commitment is to refine law enforcement strategies to effectively address these challenges.
Source: Illegal-gambling cases in Macau soared 900pct in 1Q, as new law created fresh offences, GGRAsia, May 28, 2025.
Posted by Wizard
May 29 2025
May 29 2025
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