Macau Sees 31% Spike in Gambling-Related Crimes in 2024 Amid Tourism Resurgence

_{Macau gambling related crime is on the rise. (Image Sean Pavone/Alamy)}

Macau has seen a rise in gambling related crime recently. The country is benefitting from increased tourism, which in turn has brought out the criminals according to recent statistics. The country has a booming gambling industry including land based casinos. 

Macau has been in the news a number of times including articles casinos.com has written around the successes and the downsides to the gambling industry there including its online casino industry. Macau's gambling industry has been blighted by gangs of money launderers, something the authorities are trying to get to grips with. 

Crime is always newsworthy and the latest figures on gambling related crimes tell a story of recovery and the challenges faced by Macau authorities.

There has been a significant 31% increase in gambling-related crimes in 2024, with a total of 1,456 cases reported, according to local authorities.

Macau’s Popularity with Tourists Fuels Crime

As people return to jet setting around the world destinations like Macau are popular with tourists. So much so that the rise in gambling related crime has been attributed to a recovery in tourism and the gaming industry.

The data reveals that theft constituted 22.9% of these crimes, while loan sharking accounted for 17.3%, and unauthorised money exchange activities made up 6.1%. Authorities linked the surge in gambling crimes to the influx of tourists and enhanced enforcement against illegal financial operations.

Despite the increase, the current figure remains 32% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Stricter Regulations and Successful Policing Also Increases Crime Figures

Wong Sio Chak, Macau’s Secretary for Security, noted that as the number of visitors surged, the factors destabilizing social security also increased. He attributed the uptick in offenses to stricter regulations against illegal money changers.

Overall, Macau recorded 14,298 total crimes in 2024, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year, with fraud and cybercrime as significant contributors to this trend. Despite the rise in gambling offenses, organized crime levels have stabilized following the introduction of new gaming regulations. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to regulate the gambling sector in response to these challenges.