Macau Gambling-Related Crime Cases Rise 12.3% in First 9 Months

Macau recorded 1,951 gambling-related crimes for the first nine months of the year, which reflected an increase of 12.3% from the same period in 2025. The rise was mainly linked to higher numbers of fraud cases and illegal currency exchange activities connected to gaming.

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The figures were released by the Office of the Secretary for Security, led by Chan Tsz King. While gaming-related offenses increased, total crime in Macau declined by 0.9% to nearly 10,000 recorded cases during the January-to-September period.

Authorities said the decline in overall crime was supported by lower levels of general fraud and computer-related crime. The latest figures show that gaming-related cases moved in a different direction from the broader crime trend in the city. 

Fraud and Currency Exchange Cases Increase

Fraud cases connected to games of fortune or chance reached 558 between January and September. This was an increase of 21.3% from the number reported in the same quarter of 2025.

The number of cases of illegal currency exchange reached 404 and had increased by 11.9% year-on-year. It is important to note that this increase in these two categories accounted for the rise in crime associated with gambling.

A law was passed in October 2024 in Macau, making it a criminal act to conduct illegal currency exchange for gambling purposes. The measure applies to illegal money-changing activity linked to casino gambling. It was confirmed that the increases in these offenses contributed to the 12.3% rise in gaming-related crime.

The available data covers crimes related to games of fortune or chance. The 1,951 cases recorded during the period represent the total number reported by Macau law enforcement agencies for this category.

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Other Gaming Crimes Decline

The official statement also noted decreases in several offenses that had previously affected public security. Illegal gaming loans declined by 12.6% compared with the same period last year. Kidnapping cases fell by 57.1%. The release described the decrease in these offenses as part of a wider reduction in crimes that had posed major public-security concerns.

Authorities also referred to a law enforcement action carried out at the end of July. A total of 15 people, including casino security personnel in Macau, were detained on suspicion of criminal association, extortion, and coercion.

The statement did not provide further details about the case or identify the casinos where the detained security personnel worked. The arrests were mentioned as part of enforcement activity related to crime in the gaming sector. Macau’s Judiciary Police also blocked more than 77,000 illegal gambling portals through a joint action mechanism with the casino industry.

Overall Crime Falls Slightly

Macau law enforcement agencies registered nearly 10,000 criminal offenses in the first 9 months of the year. The total was 0.9% lower than the number recorded during the same period in 2025. The decrease in overall crime was largely supported by an 8.5% drop in general fraud cases. Computer-related crime also declined 29.8%.

The Office of the Secretary for Security said public awareness of fraud prevention had increased. It linked that development to the lower number of telecommunications and internet-related scams.

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Source: Macau Business