The Legislative Assembly (AL) of Macau is getting ready to vote on a new bill that aims to stop illicit gaming. Later this month, the bill is expected to be put to a final vote following recent deliberations by the AL’s second standing committee. It seeks to enact stricter laws and heavier punishments for violators.
Stricter Enforcement and Penalties
The proposed law seeks to provide law enforcement with stronger tools to tackle illegal gambling. One significant change is allowing nighttime searches and undercover operations to investigate unlawful gambling activities. “The bill aims to enhance punitive measures for illegal gambling,” stated Chan Chak Mo, chairman of the AL’s second standing committee.
A major focus of the bill is to criminalize unauthorized currency exchange operations tied to gambling. This change targets street-level money exchanges and those operating in amusement parks, which authorities believe are frequently used by mainland Chinese gamblers to evade strict capital controls.
Chan highlighted that the government’s stance on the issue has evolved due to the growing severity of the situation. “The government’s stance has changed due to a worsening situation,” he explained. Earlier versions of the law did not criminalize illegal currency exchanges, but now authorities are prioritizing curbing these activities, as they are often linked to broader criminal networks and money laundering.
Despite the law’s stricter approach, personal lending between friends for gambling purposes will remain legal. The bill targets organized crime rings rather than individuals offering personal loans for gambling.
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