Macau Police Warn Illegal Gambling Money Exchange Is Growing More Covert

Macau authorities say illegal money exchange tied to gambling has not disappeared since tougher laws took effect. Instead, enforcement pressure is pushing the activity further underground, prompting police to adapt their tactics as they continue cracking down.

Good to Know

• Illegal money exchange for gambling became a criminal offense in late 2024
• Police investigated more than 560 cases and arrested 867 suspects
• Authorities seized over HKD94 million in cash and gaming chips

The director of the Judiciary Police of Macau, Sit Chong Meng, said the crime of unlicensed money exchange for gambling purposes is increasingly being carried out in covert ways. He made the remarks during a Thursday media briefing reviewing crime trends from the past year, according to reports by Macao Daily News and public broadcaster TDM.

Unlicensed money exchange linked to gambling was formally criminalised under the Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling, which took effect on October 29, 2024. The law targets underground currency swaps commonly used by casino patrons to bypass capital controls.

Sit said that between the law taking effect and December 31, 2025, police investigated 567 cases involving suspected illegal money exchange for gambling. Those probes led to the arrest of 867 people and the seizure of cash and cash denominated gaming chips worth more than HKD94 million, or about US$11.7 million.

Some investigations required cooperation with law enforcement agencies on the Chinese mainland. Sit said such joint actions focused on dismantling underground banks and organized criminal groups linked to cross border money movement.

Police Flag Complex Tactics and Cross Border Links

Macau casinos typically operate with bets denominated in Hong Kong dollars, while a large share of visitors come from the Chinese mainland, where assets are usually held in Chinese yuan. That mismatch has long fueled demand for illegal currency exchange services near and inside casino areas.

Sit told reporters the methods used by offenders have grown more complex as enforcement tightened. He said:

“The criminal mode of operation has become complicated.”

He added that police would maintain pressure on illegal activity, including schemes “disguised as shop operations but that actually involve illegal money exchange.”

The Judiciary Police said it will continue close monitoring and enforcement as criminal groups attempt to adapt to the stricter legal environment.

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