Macau’s Public Security Police Force has reported a notable decline in overall criminal activity during the first four months of 2025, yet gambling-related offenses have seen a significant surge. According to the department’s latest statistics, general crime dropped by 4.7% year-on-year, while crimes linked to gambling rose sharply by 34.6%.
The rise includes incidents such as loan sharking, illegal detentions, and fraud, many of which reportedly occurred in or around casinos. Authorities cited 98 gambling-related cases, up from 72 in the same period last year. While Macau continues to recover from pandemic-era lows in tourism and gaming activity, the spike in such offenses raises concerns about the vulnerabilities tied to increased casino traffic.
The police emphasized their ongoing coordination with casino operators to strengthen surveillance and enforcement. They also noted that the number of scams—particularly online frauds—has slightly decreased, showing signs of improved public awareness campaigns.
This uptick in gambling-related crime comes amid broader efforts by Macau to diversify its economy and strengthen gaming sector oversight. As visitor numbers rise, so too does the urgency to balance industry growth with public security and integrity in gaming operations.
