According to the Macau Gazette, the newly passed "Illegal Gambling Crime" was announced on Monday (October 28) and will take effect tomorrow.
The "Illegal Gambling Crime" law was passed in the final vote by the Macau Legislative Assembly on October 16, and the President of the Legislative Assembly, Gao Kaixian, officially signed the document on October 21.
The Chief Executive then published the law in the Gazette on Monday, and according to the provisions of the law, it will take effect the day after its announcement, which is Tuesday (October 29).
The law strictly regulates the code of conduct in the gambling industry, including the addition of provisions on "under-the-table gambling," with a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. It also stipulates that anyone involved in illegal gambling activities can be sentenced to up to six months in prison.
In addition, the law has incorporated "undercover investigations" and "night-time evidence search," expanding the enforcement capabilities of criminal investigation officers. Despite skepticism from the gambling industry regarding these strict regulations, the law was ultimately passed smoothly by the Legislative Assembly.
One of the most socially concerned regulations is the criminalization of "money changers," regulating any illegal currency exchange for gambling purposes, which can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The provisions of this law apply not only within the scope of casinos but also include the entire scope of the licensed company's resorts.
The Macau Judiciary Police have pointed out that after the "Illegal Gambling Crime" comes into effect, they will have a legal basis and enforcement authority to handle "money changers."
