Macau releases 57 suspects on bail in illegal betting case

Macau prosecutors have charged 59 individuals allegedly associated with online sports betting, with two of them remaining in custody awaiting trial. The other defendants have been released on bail but are prohibited from leaving the city.

The operation that took place on July 2, 2024, led to the arrest of a total of 93 people across Macau, Hong Kong, and Guangdong. During the operation, authorities confiscated MOP 88.4 million (approximately £8.5 million or $11 million) in cash and froze bank accounts totalling MOP 22.1 million.

The betting sites, based outside of Macau, facilitated wagers on football and basketball games, reportedly generating around MOP 72 million weekly during the recent UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. Authorities estimate that illegal operations have netted over MOP 1.08 billion for the owners of these grey market companies since 2016.

It’s important to note that online gambling is illegal in China, including in Macau, which is designated as a special administrative region (SAR). Those found guilty of organising unlawful gambling and betting face potential prison sentences of up to three years.