Published on: October 18, 2024, 12:33h.
Last updated on: October 18, 2024, 12:33h.
Macau’s lawmakers recently approved a bill aimed at strengthening regulations on illegal gambling within the region. The new ‘Law to Combat Illegal Gambling Crimes’ prohibits activities such as unauthorized money exchanges and loansharking in casinos, as well as the promotion of unlicensed online gambling.
One notable inclusion in the bill is the prohibition of Mark Six, a popular lottery game originally from Hong Kong and played in Macau since 1976. This ban extends to the sale and operation of Mark Six in Macau, carrying a potential prison sentence of two years for violators.
Recent Arrest and Controversy
Despite being widely available in Macau, Mark Six has never been officially authorized by the region’s gaming regulator. However, authorities had previously turned a blind eye to businesses selling the tickets.
Following the bill’s approval, a married couple in their fifties was arrested for selling Mark Six tickets from their grocery store in northern Macau. The couple reportedly made profits totaling MOP1,960 (US$245) from the illegal sales.
The female suspect was caught selling tickets on the street, leading to the arrest of the couple for violating the new law.
While Macau offers several legal lotteries overseen by the DICJ, including Pacapio, instant lotteries, and sports lotteries, the revenues generated from these lotteries make up a small fraction of the city’s overall gaming revenue.
Debate and Response
Before the bill’s passing, some lawmakers argued for the exclusion of activities like selling Mark Six tickets from the prohibition list. They claimed that these small businesses were not engaging in organized crime and had minimal societal impact.
However, officials refuted these claims, stating that efforts to enforce and stop the sale of unauthorized lottery tickets had been ongoing for some time.