Macau Sees Surge in Gambling Crime Investigations
A new law targeting illegal gambling activity has triggered a sharp rise in criminal investigations across Macau, with non-residents accounting for the vast majority of suspects and victims.
Over 60% Spike in Cases Linked to Legislative Changes
Macau recorded 567 gambling-related criminal investigations in the first quarter of 2025—a jump of more than 60% compared to the same period last year. The rise follows the introduction of the Law on Combating Unlawful Gambling Crimes, which came into force in late October 2024.
The legislation created a specific offence for illegal currency exchange tied to gambling—a provision that quickly emerged as one of the main drivers behind the increase in enforcement activity.
According to Macau’s Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, this single offence accounted for 132 cases in Q1 alone, representing over 60% of all new gambling-related investigations during the period.
Fraud and Currency Exchange Lead Offence Categories
Among the 567 investigations, fraud topped the list with 152 cases, making up just over a quarter of all gambling-related crimes. Illegal currency exchange followed closely behind, while other significant offences included usury (51 cases), theft (46), misappropriation (38), and unauthorised casino entry (21). Each of the remaining offence types represented less than 3% of the total.
Authorities noted that despite the overall increase in cases, most categories—apart from fraud—saw a year-on-year decline. Officials also cited updated police reporting standards, which now classify a broader range of infractions as gambling-related, as a contributing factor to the higher figures.
The data reflects not just local enforcement but also increased cross-border coordination. Joint operations between Macau and Guangdong province led to the dismantling of multiple criminal groups in recent months, contributing to the higher volume of cases in early 2025.
Still, authorities were clear in stating that the rise in investigations does not indicate a growing local threat. Out of 679 individuals suspected of involvement, just 119 were Macau residents. More than 80% of both suspects and the 333 victims identified were non-residents.
Despite the surge in numbers, officials do not believe the developments signal a shift toward localised gambling crime. “There is no trend of localisation,” said Wong Sio Chak, adding that the government will continue to monitor the situation closely.