Legislative Assembly of Macau Approves Measure on Unlawful Gaming Act
Macau Legislative Assembly Passes New Law to Combat Illegal Gambling
In a unanimous decision, the Macau Legislative Assembly has passed a new bill titled "Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling." This law aims to tackle crimes associated with gambling and curb the rise of illegal money exchanges in Macau.
Peng Peng, the executive chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform, has stated that the illegal money exchange business in Macau has become a common channel for corruption. The legislation aims to crack down on this practice, particularly as it is often used by Chinese gamblers to avoid capital flight restrictions.
The bill defines penalties for running illegal gambling games. Operating illegal games of fortune, online gambling, and mutual betting will be punishable under the new law. The prison sentence for such offenses ranges from one to eight years, with the highest potential sentence significantly higher than the previous law, which set it at three years.
However, the new law does not specify penalties for participating in illegal gambling games. Those found guilty of offenses, including coercing others to gamble and providing illicit loans and money exchanges, could face a casino entry ban, forbidding them from properties in the region.
The bill also targets the practice of "multipliers" in standard gaming tables that involve hidden, larger wagers on outcomes. The previous law did not specify the penalties for running illegal gambling games, but the new law aims to address this gap.
Interestingly, the new law does not mention any provisions for legalizing or regulating online gambling in Macau. However, it does target illegal online gambling as a crime. The bill does not specify penalties for participating in illegal gambling games, but it does outline penalties for operating them.
The bill was initially proposed by the government in December 2023. Notably, the previous law did not specify the penalties for running illegal gambling games, leaving a loophole that the new law seeks to close. Despite this, the new law does not specify penalties for running illegal money exchange businesses.
The passage of this law marks a significant step forward in Macau's efforts to combat illegal gambling and associated corruption. The new law is expected to bring more transparency and accountability to the gambling industry in Macau.
