The Chinese government has announced the inclusion of eight mainland cities into the facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme for visits to Hong Kong and Macau, with the new measures set to take effect from May 27, 2024.

China authorities have detected 35,000 illegal crossings in 2023, resulting in the arrest of over 32,000 individuals involved in cross-border crimes related to gambling and fraud.

Chinese authorities unveiled updated immigration data on Thursday, revealing that the National Immigration Administration of China issued over 18.6 million travel visas and documents for travelers to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan between July 1st and August 29th.

In just the first six months of 2023, Chinese authorities detected 16,000 cases of obstructing national border control, with 32,000 suspects arrested. According to China’s National Immigration Administration, this is an effort to restrain people from leaving the country to conduct gambling activities.

China stated owned media Global Times reported that China had resolved 464,000 cases related to telecom fraud and online gambling last year, with 351 ringleaders and key members of criminal groups arrested.

China’s National Immigration Administration announced on Thursday that it's going to ease restrictions on package tour visa applications to Macau, with the new policy to come into effect next Monday, May 15th.

Chinese authorities revealed updates to immigration data on Wednesday, announcing that the National Immigration Administration of China issued more than 19 million travel visas for travelers to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in the first quarter of this year.

Any lingering hope that Macau was exempt from China’s crackdown on its citizens crossing overseas to gamble has now been dashed, with the local government urging operators to look elsewhere for their clientele.

The Chinese government on Monday has advised citizens not to leave the country unless necessary, and has also discouraged individuals from traveling overseas for sightseeing or visiting friends. 

China’s crackdown on frequent gamblers to Macau could wipe as much as 20 percent off total industry gross gambling revenue, Credit Suisse analysts wrote.