Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested nine casino security employees over an alleged extortion scheme that collected at least HK$1.4 million ($178,000) from people involved in offenses inside a gaming venue.
Five alleged intermediaries were also detained, bringing the total number of suspects to 14, according to details disclosed by the PJ and reported by local media.
Police believe the group extorted payments from at least 30 people between March 2025 and July 2026 in exchange for concealing suspected theft, fraud and other violations inside the casino.
The nine security employees included two managers, one supervisor and six other security department staff. Twelve of the 14 suspects are Macau residents, while the remaining two are mainland Chinese residents.
According to the PJ, one of the security managers allegedly led the group and instructed subordinates to suppress cases involving suspected offenders.
The five intermediaries were allegedly responsible for identifying and contacting the individuals and collecting payments. Security staff would increase checks on those targeted and threaten to begin procedures to remove them from the casino.
The group allegedly demanded between HK$5,000 ($637) and HK$40,000 ($5,100), depending on the seriousness of each case, as a “case dismissal fee.”
After receiving payment, the security employees allegedly persuaded affected parties not to pursue complaints, withheld the cases from the PJ and allowed the suspected offenders to leave the casino.
Police have contacted seven mainland Chinese witnesses who allegedly paid the group. The five men and two women were themselves linked to suspected casino theft, fraud or unauthorized collection of tips, according to the reports.
The alleged proceeds were distributed according to the suspects’ rank and level of participation in the scheme.
The PJ detained the 14 suspects at a Cotai casino and several residential units. They were referred to the Public Prosecutions Office on suspicion of organized crime, extortion, coercion and harboring offenders.
Police said casino security personnel were responsible for cooperating with law enforcement and maintaining order inside gaming venues. The PJ condemned the alleged abuse of authority, saying it had damaged Macau’s image as a tourism destination and undermined casino security.
