Authorities Seize Over HK$215,000 in Casino Chips Amid Clampdown on Unlicensed Transactions
Macau’s judiciary police have detained two individuals from mainland China suspected of running an illegal money exchange business inside a prominent casino in Cotai. The pair—identified as a 33-year-old woman surnamed Yin and a 45-year-old man surnamed Zhang—were caught red-handed during a chip exchange transaction on 4 June and now face criminal charges.
Caught in the Act: Unauthorized Exchange in Smoking Room
The operation was discovered when police observed suspicious behavior inside a casino smoking room around 12:30 p.m. Zhang was seen showing a QR code on his phone to a male gambler, who then received HK$20,000 in chips. The chips were immediately taken to the casino floor and used for gambling.
Shortly afterward, authorities uncovered that Yin had conducted a similar transaction earlier that morning, exchanging chips for another gambler in a separate deal. The two gamblers involved were later tracked down and confessed to transferring RMB 18,760 and RMB 18,800 (roughly US$2,600 each) in return for HK$20,000 worth of chips. Both individuals had already lost the exchanged chips in gaming sessions.
Underground Operation Spanning Months
According to police reports, the suspects began their operation in March and have since earned approximately HK$30,000 through informal chip-for-cash exchanges. Typically, they charged a fee of around HK$100 per HK$10,000 exchanged—an attractive rate for gamblers looking for quick liquidity without going through official channels.
Authorities confiscated more than HK$215,000 (US$27,500) in casino chips and three mobile phones believed to be connected to the illicit business. Investigators suspect that Yin and Zhang may be part of a broader underground exchange network, though no additional suspects have been named at this stage.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office, with both suspects facing charges of conducting illegal currency exchange operations for gambling purposes—an offense taken seriously in Macau’s tightly regulated casino industry.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that these unauthorised exchanges not only violate financial regulations but also pose risks of fraud, money laundering, and criminal collusion. Authorities have pledged to intensify inspections and surveillance within casino properties to curb similar underground activities.
As Macau continues to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, law enforcement remains vigilant in preserving the integrity of its gaming sector—particularly as tourism and gaming revenues begin to rebound.
