Enforcement of New Gambling Law and Cross-Border Police Raids Drive Over 80% Decline
Macau’s battle against illegal gambling-related financial crimes has recorded a major breakthrough, with a reported 80% year-on-year decrease in intercepted cases of unauthorised money exchange during the first quarter of 2025. Authorities attribute the decline to enhanced legal frameworks and cross-border enforcement collaborations targeting illicit gambling infrastructure.
According to the Macao Daily, only 251 individuals were intercepted for illegal money changing activities from January to March this year, down dramatically from over 1,200 cases in the same period in 2024.
Strengthened Legislation Bolsters Enforcement
The dramatic decline is closely tied to the revised Law on Combating Unlawful Gambling Crimes, which came into effect in late 2024. The revised law introduced explicit offences for “operating illegal currency exchange for gambling,” enabling police to act more decisively.
Of the 157 cases logged in the first quarter, 132 were formally investigated under the new offence. The remainder, initially flagged under different charges, were subsequently linked to illicit exchange schemes, demonstrating the law’s broad application.
HK$7.9bn Laundered Through Fake Stores and Delivery Firms
Efforts were reinforced by enhanced cooperation between Macau and mainland Chinese authorities, culminating in a March 2025 joint operation that dismantled two major cross-border syndicates.
More than 60 suspects were arrested in the crackdown. The syndicates were allegedly laundering money through fake delivery companies and luxury retail stores, camouflaging high-value transactions for casino patrons. Authorities estimate the networks processed over HK$7.9 billion (US$1 billion) in illicit funds.
Crime Trends Shift Amid Increased Surveillance
Police also noted that other gambling-linked offences, including loan sharking and unlawful confinement, have also declined. This suggests that criminal groups are shifting tactics or being deterred altogether by heightened scrutiny.
However, some of these groups are reportedly diversifying into illegal lending, which remains under investigation. Officials have reaffirmed their resolve to continue monitoring financial crimes closely and ensure that Macau’s gaming sector operates within strict regulatory boundaries.
