Macau gaming crime rises after gambling law overhaul

Macau recorded a sharp rise in gaming-related crime during the first three quarters of 2025, driven primarily by changes in legal classification rather than a deterioration in public safety. According to data released by the city’s Secretary for Security, Chan Tsz King, authorities logged 1,737 gaming-related cases between January and September, a 70.1 percent increase year on year.

Officials attributed the surge to the implementation of the Anti-Illegal Gambling Crime Law, which came into force in October 2024 and significantly broadened the scope of gaming-related offences. A major factor was the criminalisation of illegal currency exchange linked to gambling activities, a practice commonly associated with unlicensed money changers operating near casinos.

Previously, cases involving these exchanges were often recorded as general fraud or financial crimes, as authorities could not always prove a direct connection to gambling. Under the new framework, any unauthorised currency exchange tied to gaming activity is now classified as a standalone criminal offence and automatically included in gaming crime statistics. Police also expanded their statistical scope following the law’s introduction.

Despite the rise in gaming-related cases, officials emphasised that Macau’s overall crime rate declined over the same period. Total criminal cases fell 7.1 percent year on year to 10,058, with reductions reported across violent crime, theft, robbery, fraud and cybercrime. Serious violent offences remained low, with only 187 cases recorded.

Authorities also confirmed increased enforcement activity, noting higher detention numbers reflected proactive policing rather than heightened criminal risk. Chan added that ongoing satellite casino closures have not created public order concerns, while efforts to combat telecom and cyber fraud have continued to deliver results.