A former Hong Kong Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau chief believes that Macau authorities need to tackle the growing problem of illegal online gambling. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

A leading risk mitigation specialist has warned that the Macau authorities need to tackle the ongoing problem of illegal online gambling in the special administration region of China.

Steve Vickers spoke at the British Chamber of Commerce on Thursday in Macau, remarking that the people who previously ran the junkets now control online operations.

The former Hong Kong Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau chief acknowledged the successful work to date on moving against the junkets that were involved in sending money offshore to organized crime figures and circumventing the region’s tax regime.

Major junket figures like Levo Chan and Alvin Chau have received 13- and 18-year prison sentences, respectively, in recent years.

taking down one set of criminals as it leaves a void for others to fill

Vickers understands the challenges of taking down one set of criminals as it leaves a void for others to fill, making it like a “whack-a-mole game.” He believes that hitting big revenue drivers for criminals is the key.

The Judiciary Police have been working alongside licensed gaming operators and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau to battle illegal online gambling. Their efforts culminated in the blocking of 36,000 websites in the first six months of 2024.