Money Exchange Gangs Face Crackdown by Macau Authorities

_{Macau is experiencing rise in gaming crime due to high visitor numbers. (Finbarr Fallon / Alamy)}

Macau has been blighted by a surge in gaming crimes as the country otherwise reaps the rewards of high visitor numbers.

The rise in gaming crime around casinos and online gambling has reached a whopping 42.6% up from 2023 to 1,021 cases in the first nine months of 2024. When compared to 2019 the total is down by 36%.

A clampdown on crime has resulted in up to 2,835 people having been caught for alleged roles in illicit money touting according to Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak.

He said: “Illegal money changers – often described as the ‘money exchange gangs’, have been causing trouble in and around casinos for a long time.

Combined Effort to Tackle Crime Under New Law

The crimes vary with fraud and loan sharking making up close to 50% of the cases logged. 

Wong Sio Chak said: “They have led to serious crimes like fraud, robbery, assault, and even murder. In recent years, these activities have grown more organised and professional.”

The timing of the report may or may not take into account the capture of 13 local and mainland Chinese currency exchangers. The individuals were caught with over HKD2.7 million (MOP2.77 million/ US$350,000) and HKD540,000 in chips. The crackdown came by way of a combined effort involving police and mainland authorities under a new law meant to target illegal gambling. 

Billions have been exchanging hands since the new law was introduced with at least 216 money touts having been active producing more than 800 transactions involving a money flow of at least RMB3.5 billion (MOP3.86 billion).

Authorities Target Lottery Game

As well as the crackdown on the money exchangers sales of the Mark Six lottery game created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club has also been targeted. A couple in their 70’s was arrested when attempting to make a profit of MOP300.

As reported by Casinos.com Macau has benefitted from an enormous influx of tourists following the Covid-19 lockdown period.