According to the Macao Official Gazette, the newly passed Law to Combat Gambling Crimes was announced on Monday (28th), and the bill will come into effect tomorrow (29th).
The bill adds provisions for operating lucky games without legal approval, commonly known as “side betting”, which can lead to a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. The bill also stipulates that anyone who gambles in illegal gambling activities can be sentenced to up to six months in prison. Anyone who operates, promotes or organizes online lucky betting or online mutual betting in Macau without approval in accordance with the law will also be sentenced to up to eight years in prison.
As for the criminalization of illicit money exchange, any such exchange for gambling purposes will violate the law and be subject to a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The provisions of the bill do not only apply to casino areas, but also to ancillary facilities operating lucky games and other adjacent facilities engaged in artistic, cultural, recreational, commercial or hotel-related activities, which are considered casinos.
