Macau Blocks 36,000 Illegal Gambling Sites in H1 2024
Date: 2024-09-17 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: EVENTS
Macau authorities have released a report on gambling crimes for the first six months of 2024. The document provides an overview of the challenges facing the gambling sector in the special administrative region, as well as the successes of law enforcement in combating criminal activity.
Thousands of illegal sites blocked in 2024
According to the Macau Security Authority, more than 36,000 illegal gambling sites were blocked in the first half of 2024. These impressive figures highlight the authorities’ active efforts to protect the local gambling market from illegal competition from foreign operators, but also demonstrate the scale of the black market problem.
The report notes that many illegal operators often try to impersonate licensed Macau companies. This poses a risk not only to the reputation of the local gambling industry, but also to consumers who may become victims of fraud.
Strengthening the fight against crime
The Macau Security Authority continues to confidently fight against illegal gambling. The report emphasizes that in order to improve the effectiveness of this process, cooperation with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau has been strengthened. This cooperation has made it possible to more successfully identify and block illegal sites.
Since 2022, the fight against illegal online operators remains one of the key tasks of the authorities. The Macau Judicial Police, the Inspection Bureau and legal gambling companies are making every effort to prevent the emergence of unlicensed online operators in the region.
It is reported that illegal sites often use the brands of licensed companies, misleading customers and causing financial losses. While authorities did not reveal the specific names of the companies whose brands were counterfeited, the report noted that such operators were making millions of dollars from the illegal activities.
Operation to Dismantle the Criminal Network
The report also included information on Operation Peak Break, in which police in Macau, mainland China, and Hong Kong dismantled an international criminal group involved in illegal online gambling.
The operators of this network earned more than $120 million, indicating that such illegal schemes are highly profitable.
With the growing threat from illegal gambling, lawmakers have proposed toughening penalties for participating in such crimes. If passed, the bill could see up to eight years in prison for those organizing, conducting, or promoting illegal gambling.
