The Legislative Assembly of Macao approved on March 19, 2026, by a unanimous vote of its 33 legislators, Law No. 3/2026, a regulation that reinforces the national security framework and expands the powers of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, chaired by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.
The bill was introduced on February 3, 2026, and passed in less than 45 days, signaling high political priority. The law grants the committee authority to classify cases as matters of national security, issue binding decisions without the possibility of appeal, and mandate closed-door trials when public hearings are deemed a risk to state security. It also establishes prior approval requirements for legal counsel and broadens the committee’s institutional scope with additional supervisory functions.
The regulation builds on the national security legal framework first enacted in 2009 and strengthened in 2023, aligned with the “patriots governing Macau” principle. A relevant precedent is the 2023 case of Au Kam San, detained on charges of collusion with foreign forces, considered one of the first high-profile cases under the reinforced system.
Au Kam San
The measure impacts an economy heavily dependent on gaming. In 2025, Macau recorded gross gaming revenue of MOP 228 billion (US$28.2 billion), with fiscal contributions estimated at MOP 79.8 billion (US$9.87 billion). The six licensed casino operators hold investment commitments totaling MOP 118.8 billion (US$14.8 billion) between 2023 and 2032, subject to ongoing government evaluation.
Law No. 3/2026 introduces a structural shift. It increases institutional intervention capacity, strengthens oversight of strategic decisions, and raises compliance requirements. The casino sector now operates under tighter supervision, reduced operational discretion, and a more centralized legal framework, where national security becomes a defining factor in the business environment.
