Macao's casinos are intensifying efforts to combat illegal proxy betting amid a surge in police arrests of individuals implicated in secretly livestreaming baccarat games for remote gamblers. Last week, executives from the six main concession-holding casinos convened in an emergency meeting with the Macau Gaming Supervision and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). They aimed to establish a coordinated response to this illicit activity.
During their discussions, reported by the Macao-based Japanese publication Macau Shimbun, the casino executives and DICJ officials engaged in an “in-depth exchange” about their respective countermeasures and the creation of future data-sharing mechanisms.
This meeting follows a notable spike in arrests related to proxy betting, with figures rising to double digits in just two weeks. Among the latest detentions were two men from Mainland China, apprehended while wearing nearly identical grey-black t-shirts designed with small holes and Velcro pads. These t-shirts allegedly served as makeshift mounts for mobile phones, enabling the suspects to livestream gambling operations. Both individuals are reported to be part of a gambling syndicate based in Mainland China.
Authorities confiscated various electronic devices, Velcro straps, and gambling chips during recent raids, highlighting the sophisticated methods used by those engaged in proxy betting. Many of those arrested, including the two men, were unemployed residents from Mainland China who had reportedly been running proxy betting services in Macao for weeks.
The recruitment process for these proxy services remains largely unclear, but many suspects indicate that they received cash from gamblers in Mainland China prior to entering the special administrative region. Once in Macao, proxy bettors open accounts at major casinos and place bets, predominantly on electronic baccarat tables. They livestream the games using the front-facing cameras of their phones or hidden cameras sewn into their clothing.
Communication with the gamblers in Mainland China occurs through another mobile device, connected via Bluetooth earbuds, enabling bettors to receive real-time betting instructions. Casino employees have raised concerns about suspicious behavior. On several occasions, staff noticed individuals sitting in unusual positions at baccarat tables and attempting to conceal their cameras, prompting alerts to the police. Some suspects have gone as far as trying to destroy their cameras when confronted.
According to law enforcement, these proxy bettors retain any loyalty points accrued during their betting activities, which can sometimes amount to substantial monetary value.
During the recent meeting, casino executives shared that they are implementing special training for employees to help identify potential proxy bettors more swiftly. The DICJ conveyed concerns over the growing sophistication of proxy betting operations, warning that these rings now have access to new technologies to facilitate livestreaming of casino activities.
In response, casino leaders are enhancing their monitoring systems, increasing security patrols, and improving employee training. They are also introducing a new rewards program aimed at whistleblowers who report illegal activities.
Earlier this month, police and casino executives held a joint training session to strengthen their response strategies.
In terms of tourism, while gross gaming revenue has recently seen declines, visitor numbers at Macao's integrated casino-resorts have generally risen this year. According to figures from the Macau Statistics and Census Office, there was a 9% year-on-year increase in inbound tourists during the first half of 2026, with a notable 11% rise in visitors from Mainland China, who account for nearly three-quarters of the total arrivals. However, June marked a downturn, with a reported 3.1% decrease in incoming tourists.
Despite these challenges, the police claim that their efforts against casino-related crime, including proxy betting and illegal currency exchanges, are yielding positive outcomes. Government data released on July 16 shows a 1.1% reduction in crime for the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
