Gambling crime in Macau double as revenue declines

The number of gambling-related crimes in Macau doubled in 2014 from the previous year as gross gambling revenue in the territory declined, according to official figures.

The Judiciary Police last year investigated 71 cases of kidnapping directly related to the gaming sector, almost double in relation to the previous year, local media reports said.

Judiciary Police Director,Chau Wai Kuong was cited as saying that the rise in criminality might be related to illegal money lending businesses and loansharking schemes.

“We are doing our own assessments to determine if the drop in revenues has anything to do with the recent rise in criminality."

Telephone and online fraud-related crimes are also increasing, with more than double the cases being reported for the past year.

The director called for a better prevention system to be put in place, adding his department is hiring specialized IT experts.

 

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