According to Macao Daily News, the bill of “Law on Combating Illegal Gambling Crimes” was passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR with 29 votes in favour and 3 abstentions.
According to the introduction by Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Administration and Justice, the bill aims to strengthen the fight against illegal gambling crimes and further clarify the offence of side betting. Considering that illegal gambling offences are highly anti-detective and covert, the bill also introduces regulations related to undercover investigation.
The Bill explicitly includes side betting in the scope of the illegal operation of lucky betting, further clarifying the offence’s composition. The Bill expressly prohibits the operation, promotion and organisation of online lucky betting and mutual betting, regardless of whether the computer systems, installations and equipment involved are located in Macau.
In order to improve the means of criminal investigation, the bill proposes to allow searches of homes between 9 pm and 7 am for specific offences. The bill introduces regulations related to undercover investigation and a new protection system for those who provide information or have assisted the police in uncovering offences.
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