Published on: March 24, 2026, 09:36h.
Updated on: March 24, 2026, 09:36h.
- Macau casinos reportedly facilitated the laundering of over $1 billion
- 20 individuals have been indicted by the Taiwanese authorities
- Macau remains the only jurisdiction in Chinese-controlled territory where casinos are legal
Taiwanese authorities have revealed the discovery of a substantial cross-border money laundering scheme that funneled over TWD33 billion (approximately US$1.03 billion) through casinos in Macau, China.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau of Taiwan stated in a recent press release that an inquiry has led to criminal charges against a syndicate allegedly involved in laundering funds generated from illegal gambling activities in Taiwan via Macau’s casinos.
Macau, designated as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, is the sole area under Chinese governance where casino operations are allowed. Taiwan functions as an independent democracy, maintaining its armed forces, currency, and elected officials, despite China’s claims over the territory.
Allegations of Money Laundering in Macau
According to the Yunlin District Prosecutor’s Office in Taiwan, 20 individuals have been taken into custody concerning this elaborate cross-border money laundering scheme.
The complaint, described by the Criminal Investigation Bureau as the “nation’s first cross-border casino money laundering case,” indicates that operators of the illicit gambling network in Taiwan employed money mules who traveled to Macau. These individuals would receive substantial cash and bank wire transfers, which they deposited into spending cards to create large lines of credit.
Once in Macau’s casino environment, the mules executed significant cash withdrawals to purchase gaming chips. After a brief gambling session, they would redeem these chips for cash and transfer the money back to Taiwan, attempting to disguise this as legitimate gaming revenue.
For their involvement, the mules earned a commission ranging from 1-2% on the laundered funds, in addition to travel incentives like reward points. Officials reported that one launderer managed to transact $575,000 within just ten days, yielding a commission of approximately $8,625.
The twenty accused individuals are facing charges under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
“Individuals should avoid being lured by minor profits or slight interest rate variations or reward points from accepting funds from unfamiliar sources, as this could implicate them in money laundering activities, resulting in criminal repercussions and hefty fines,” cautioned the Criminal Investigation Bureau in their statement.
“Law enforcement will persist in their efforts to tackle money laundering activities, enhance their investigatory technologies, and collaborate with global judicial authorities to safeguard public assets and ensure a secure environment,” the agency added.
Macau’s six casino establishments reported a remarkable gross gaming revenue of $30.9 billion for 2025. Year-to-date figures, through February, show an increase of nearly 14% to $5.36 billion.
Are Casinos Legal in Taiwan?
Similar to mainland China, casino gambling is prohibited in Taiwan.
In 2009, the Taiwanese government enacted legislation permitting land-based casinos on offshore islands, contingent on resident approval via local voting. Although Matsu passed such a referendum three years later, no casinos have yet been established on the islands.
The persistent threat from China regarding Taiwan, along with its ban on casino operations, likely deterred gaming developers from entering the market.