In the first half of 2024, Macau experienced a notable increase in gaming-related criminal activities, with a 61.8% surge compared to the first six months of 2023. According to Asia Gaming Brief, the Office of the Secretary for Security disclosed that the total number of such cases tallied up to 683, marking a significant rise from the 422 incidents reported during the same period last year. However, this number still reflects a 29.4% decline from the first half of 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted global operations.

Substantial growth in fraud and loan sharking:

The escalation in criminal cases has been attributed to the substantial growth in visitor traffic and a revival in the gaming sector’s business activities. The increase in tourism has been considerable, with over 16.7 million visitors recorded by June 30, 2024, showing a 43.6% increase from the previous year. Although this boost has aided the economic recovery, it has also introduced new security challenges and a rise in illegal activities linked to the gaming environment.

Approximately 23.3% of the reported cases in the first half of 2024 involved fraud within casino settings, totaling 159 incidents—a 67.4% increase from the prior year. Of these, currency exchange frauds rose dramatically, with 82 cases marking a 90.7% increase year-on-year. Additionally, the period saw 122 cases of loan sharking, up 293.5% from the previous year, emphasizing the troubling rise in this type of crime associated with gambling.

Efforts to combat illegal money exchanges:

During this period, the authorities took significant steps to address illegal money exchanges. Police conducted extensive checks on 2,215 individuals suspected of engaging in unauthorized currency trading activities, primarily involving people from the Chinese mainland. The report highlighted that these operations have become more organized and professional, prompting regular and stringent crackdowns by local law enforcement.

Macau’s Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, in a briefing, explained that concerted efforts between Macau and mainland Chinese authorities had started to show positive outcomes, with a decline in activities conducted by illegal money exchange groups. This collaboration has led to multiple arrests and the disruption of organized groups involved in these crimes.

As GGRAsia reports, in an effort to further curb these illegalities, the Macau government has proposed legislation that would criminalize unlicensed money trading both inside and outside casino premises. This amendment is part of the broader “Law to Combat Gambling Crimes” and is set to be discussed in Macau’s Legislative Assembly.

Despite these challenges, the first half of 2024 has shown that the robust actions taken by the authorities are making headway in reducing the scale of gaming-related crimes, contributing to a safer environment for both tourists and residents in Macau.