Macau attempts to combat illegal gambling

Jake Graves December 14, 2023

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Macau attempts to combat illegal gambling

Macau’s government has drafted a new bill aimed at combating illegal gambling. This proposed legislation will explicitly ban online and side betting with the penalties for gambling activities to be increased. When announcing the bill Macau’s Secretary for Administration and Justice, André Cheong, highlighted that the new bill will replace the current legislation, active since 1996.

Macau’s new regulations

He emphasised that the new regulations would officially classify side betting as unlawful and include it in the scope of illicit gambling practices. This type of betting which now-defunct junket operators conducted was a notable factor in reducing the government’s tax revenue. The bill will also prohibit the operation, promotion and organisation of online gambling activities with the location of an operation’s IT systems no longer a factor.

Police authorisations

Changes to police operations have also been proposed in relation to illegal gambling activities. Cheong noted that in order to combat these typically nocturnal activities, the police will be permitted to conduct searches in private residences between 9 pm and 7 am. This will not require any residents’ permission.?

This marks a significant change to not only the 1996 legislation but also to the current Criminal Procedure Code, as police as previously authorities would have been required to obtain permission from a premise’s residents.

Increased penalties

The proposed legislation will also aim to increase penalties for illegal gambling with Leong Weng, Director of Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) noting that offences related to illicit gaming are currently punishable by up to three years imprisonment.

This could be increased to as many at eight years should the bill in its entirety by approved. The bill will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for debate, analysis, and voting.

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