• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Casino floor loan shark busts cut kidnaps: Macau police

Jan 09, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Casino floor loan shark busts cut kidnaps: Macau police

Three special squads of police working inside Macau casinos intercepted 59 cases of loan sharking on actual gaming floors during 2019. So said Sit Chong Meng, director of the city’s Judiciary Police, speaking during a Thursday media briefing.

Mr Sit said his force considered the squads had in likelihood been effective in “deterring” even more loan sharking from occurring in casinos, and also off-site unlawful detention of debtors by criminals.

Nonetheless, during the first nine months of 2019, Macau’s two police forces – the other being the Public Security Police – recorded an aggregate of 1,599 gaming-related crimes, said Wong Sio Chak, the city’s Secretary for Security, in commentary in late November. In the first nine months of 2019 there were 471 cases across the city of alleged gaming-related loan-sharking – also known as usury. That was a 20.8 percent increase year-on-year.

On Thursday the Judiciary Police boss didn’t mention gaming crime figures for calendar-year 2019. That information is due to come from Secretary Wong later. But Mr Sit did suggest in his Thursday commentary that intercepting usury within casinos probably prevented such instances developing into something worse: unlawful detention of debtors by such sharks in the event the victims could not pay back the cash advanced.

In the January to September period Macau’s police forces had recorded an aggregate of 274 cases of alleged unlawful detention relating to usury, representing a 25.7 percent year-on-year increase, Secretary Wong had noted in his November commentary.

On Thursday Mr Sit noted there had been an increase in Macau of “robberies” and “scams” he said were linked to individuals involved in “illicit money exchange”. The local police forces have on a number of occasions emphasised their enforcement effort against illicit money exchange activities taking place either in local casinos or their surroundings.

Mr Sit said his department would step up its particular effort in that regard during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday period. Such annual festivities are usually a peak time for the city’s gaming and tourism traffic.

China’s State Council has declared Friday, January 24, to Thursday, January 30, inclusive, as a public holiday period in mainland China for the upcoming Chinese New Year.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau probes up to US$36mln in missing agent deposits
    Macau probes up to US$36mln in missing...

    Mar 31, 2022  

  • Macau police detain 2 others over Tak Chun boss Levo Chan
    Macau police detain 2 others over Tak...

    Jan 31, 2022  

More news
  • Pragmatic Play to offer its slots via online platform bet365
    Pragmatic Play to offer its slots via...

    May 17, 2022  

  • PH Resorts widens 1Q loss, affirms going concern risk
    PH Resorts widens 1Q loss, affirms...

    May 17, 2022  


Latest News

Pragmatic Play to offer its slots via online platform bet365

Pragmatic Play to offer its slots via online platform bet365

May 17, 2022  

The Pragmatic Play brand, a leading content provider to the iGaming industry, says it has signed a deal to launch its complete slot portfolio on the bet365 online wagering platform. As a result,...
Read More
PH Resorts widens 1Q loss, affirms going concern risk

PH Resorts widens 1Q loss, affirms going concern risk

May 17, 2022  

AAEC side files appeal notice on failed lawsuit against LVS

AAEC side files appeal notice on failed lawsuit against LVS

May 17, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$14.5 million

First-quarter gaming revenue recorded by the casino at the Jeju Dream Tower resort in South Korea



Most Popular

  • Macau repeat visitors denied visa by China says BernsteinMacau repeat visitors denied visa by China says Bernstein May 16, 2022
  • Wynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for sharesWynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for shares May 17, 2022
  • Macau GGR tax cut may spur 15pct EBITDA hike: JP MorganMacau GGR tax cut may spur 15pct EBITDA hike: JP Morgan May 16, 2022
  • Macau mulls GGR tax cut if casinos attract foreign playersMacau mulls GGR tax cut if casinos attract foreign players May 13, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us