The Director of Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) has highlighted an increase in gaming-related crimes in the SAR this year, but attributed the rise to legislative changes.
During a speech on Friday, Sit Chong Meng reviewed the operations and achievements of the PJ over 2024 and this year, emphasizing the implementation of legislative updates, such as those targeting illegal money exchange operations, known locally as money exchangers.
The Anti-Illegal Gambling Crime Law, which took effect in late October 2024, criminalized “operating illegal currency exchange for gambling” and enhanced regulations for other illegal gambling crimes.
In the first five months of this year, the PJ initiated 5,843 criminal cases, marking a slight decrease of 1.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
Among these cases, 2,858 were inquiries and complaints, which showed an 11.1 percent decline. In contrast, the total number of cases concluded rose to 6,379, an increase of 25.1 percent, with 1,641 individuals referred to judicial authorities, representing a 17.6 percent increase.
Sit noted that violent and serious crimes, along with drug-related offenses, remained at low levels. The situation concerning gaming-related crimes, as well as thefts and robberies, was described as being well under control.
Additionally, there was a significant decrease in telecommunications and cyber fraud, with the PJ director underlining that the lives, properties, rights, and legal interests of the population are being effectively protected.
