Macau recorded 2,373 gaming-related crimes in 2025, representing a 63% increase compared to 1,456 cases in 2024, according to figures released by the Office of the Secretary for Security. Authorities attributed the rise largely to intensified enforcement and the criminalisation of illicit money exchange activity, which significantly increased the number of offences captured under gaming-related crime statistics.
Unlawful Money Exchange Cases Surge Over 400%
The most notable increase came from unlawful exchange for gaming purposes—commonly linked to money exchange gangs. Cases in this category rose from 89 in 2024 to 471 in 2025, marking a 429% year-on-year increase. Officials indicated that the spike reflects both the expanded legal framework and stronger enforcement against underground money exchange operations tied to casino activity.
Fraud Cases Double Amid Illegal Currency Transactions
Gaming-related fraud also increased substantially, doubling from 333 cases in 2024 to 667 cases in 2025. Authorities noted that many fraud incidents are connected to illegal foreign currency transactions, which continue to represent one of the most common crime types within Macau’s casino ecosystem. The sharp rise in fraud further contributed to the overall increase in reported gaming-related offences.
Robbery, Assault and Intimidation Also Increase
Beyond financial crimes, Macau also saw growth in violent and coercive offences linked to casino environments. Gaming-related robbery cases rose from four to 14, representing a 250% increase. Meanwhile, offences involving assault to physical integrity and intimidation increased by 59.6%, pointing to a broader rise in volatility within certain gaming-related crime categories during the year.
Traditional Crime Categories Show Declines
Despite the overall increase, several traditional gaming-related offences recorded declines. False imprisonment cases fell by 40%, while usury-related offences, often tied to loansharking for gambling, dropped by around 23%, decreasing from 252 cases in 2024 to 194 in 2025.
Cases involving criminal syndicates and illegal gambling activities, including under-the-table betting, declined by more than 50%. These reductions suggest that enforcement actions targeting organised crime networks may have been effective in weakening long-standing illegal gambling structures.
Shifting Crime Patterns Reflect Enforcement Changes
The 2025 figures highlight a changing structure in Macau’s gaming-related crime landscape. While enforcement appears to have reduced syndicate-driven offences and illegal gambling, the criminalisation of illicit money exchange has pushed a major volume of activity into official crime reporting, significantly increasing recorded cases.
Overall, the data reflects a mixed outcome for Macau’s crackdown efforts—showing progress against some traditional criminal activity, while also revealing the expanding scale of money exchange and fraud-related risks tied to the casino sector.
