Gambling-related crimes
in Macau have surged by 24.4 per cent year-on-year to 158 in the first quarter
of 2023, according to Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak.

Wong attributed the
increase to the lifting of travel restrictions, a rapid growth in visitor
arrivals, and the recovery of the gaming industry.

The Office of the
Secretary for Security (GSS) reported that the police intercepted 3,655
individuals for engaging in illegal money exchange, a significant 78.4 percent
increase compared to the same period last year.

Most of those caught
were found to have been members of money exchange syndicates from mainland
China, said GSS.

Earlier last month, a
44-year-old man from mainland China was arrested on murder and robbery charges
in a high-profile case, after allegedly killing a man in a hotel room in Cotai
over financial disputes.

The victim, who is also
from the Chinese mainland, was active in a money exchange business.

The surge in visitor
arrivals has led to more uncertain factors affecting public safety, despite the
positive impact on Macau’s economic recovery, according to security
authorities.

In the first quarter of
2023, a total of 3,006 criminal cases were recorded, representing an increase
of over 17 per cent compared to the same period last year.

To address rising
security concerns, Wong revealed that the fifth phase of the city’s public
surveillance system, known as ‘Eyes in the Sky’, had been complete and put into
use this year.

The city now has a
total of 1,701 surveillance cameras, with preparations currently underway to
extend the surveillance system to reclaimed Zone A.

In addition, the
security authorities announced that internal test runs for electronic
identification for border-crossing are currently underway, with plans for
public testing to follow. The service is expected to launch on 30 June.