Macau Police Crack Down on $5 Million Illegal Casino Money Exchange
Illegal Money Exchange Operation Dismantled in Macau
Macau authorities have successfully shut down an illegal money exchange scheme operating out of a jewelry store within a Cotai casino. A local female employee has been arrested in connection to this illicit activity.
Over $5 Million in Unregulated Currency Transactions
According to reports, the unnamed sales assistant facilitated nearly HK$40 million (approximately $5.1 million) in unregulated currency exchanges for casino gamblers. This unauthorized operation enabled patrons to convert money using unofficial platforms before entering the casino to gamble.
Macau’s Judiciary Police conducted surveillance on the premises after receiving a tip-off. They observed an employee scanning a QR code presented by a male mainland Chinese client and then giving him Hong Kong dollars, which the client subsequently used for gambling.
During questioning, it was revealed that on the day the surveillance took place, the employee exchanged 1,726 Japanese Yen (about $249) for HK$1,800 (around $230). Further investigation uncovered that this illegal activity had been ongoing since April 2025, involving close to $5.1 million in total transactions and generating illegal profits estimated at 1.35 million Yen (approximately $195,000).
Authorities confiscated HK$95,400 ($12,203), mobile phones, and a laptop in the raid. Officials are currently tracing the store owner and any additional parties involved.
The case has been transferred to Macau’s Public Prosecutions Office where charges are being considered under the offense of operating an illegal currency exchange for gambling purposes. Convictions can result in prison sentences of up to five years, along with potential bans from Macau casinos lasting between two and ten years.
Global Crackdown on Illegal Gambling-Related Currency Exchanges
This intervention is part of a broader worldwide effort targeting illegal and digital currency networks related to gambling. In 2025, investigations linked to gaming offenses rose by 62.6%, with over 2,300 cases reported in Macau alone. This increase is attributed to improved enforcement and a rise in unregulated currency exchanges.
Globally, similar crackdowns have uncovered multimillion- and even billion-dollar illegal operations. For example, a recent major seizure in Turkey involved crypto assets allegedly tied to gambling activities. According to a Chainalysis report, Chinese-speaking criminal networks laundered approximately $16.1 billion through digital currencies last year, accounting for around 20% of worldwide illicit crypto transactions valued at $82 billion.
