Macau’s gaming regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (also known as DICJ), issued a statement on Friday warning the public of illegal gambling websites claiming to have been licensed by the Macau government.
“So far, the Macau government has never issued any online interactive gaming licence to any companies,” the bureau said in the statement. “Hence, all online interactive gambling websites in Macau are considered illegal operations,” it added.
The clarification was made in response to a rising number of public inquiries on issues related to illegal gambling websites, according to the statement.
The bureau said that it is cooperating with the city’s Judiciary Police to fight these illegal activities, including “websites that accept bets under the name of the DICJ illicitly”.
“The function of the DICJ is to monitor and supervise the various gambling activities. As such, the bureau will not encourage, promote or operate any form of gambling activities,” the regulator said in Friday’s statement.
It added: “Any unauthorised use of DICJ official website information and photos for promotional purposes without obtaining prior consent is an offence. The DICJ will not tolerate such illegal acts and will reserve the rights to pursue the matter through legal channels.”
