Macau to criminalize unlicensed money exchanges in casinos with penalties up to five years

The Macau government has introduced a new provision to criminalize unlicensed money exchange activities within casino premises, including non-gaming areas. The amendment to the Law to Combat Gambling Crimes imposes penalties of up to five years of imprisonment for those convicted.

This change in approach was announced on Friday by veteran legislator Chan Chak Mo, who heads the committee reviewing the bill. He relayed the information following a closed-door meeting of the committee, stating that the amendment was likely to receive its second and final reading in the Legislative Assembly before the year’s end.

In addition to imprisonment, those found guilty could face a ban from entering Macau casinos for a period ranging from two to 10 years. However, the proposed amendment does not penalize individuals who use the services of unauthorized money exchangers.

The decision to criminalize such activities follows reports linking illicit money exchange operations to other crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and physical violence. Macau's Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, has previously highlighted these concerns, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement.

Chan noted that the committee members were supportive of the government’s new measures. The move also follows a July 5 press briefing by China’s Ministry of Public Security, where officials underscored the importance of cracking down on Macau’s illicit money exchange trade, which often involves visitors from the Chinese mainland.