In the first quarter of 2026, Macau recorded a total of 585 gaming-related crimes, representing an increase of 18 cases or 3.2%, compared to the same period in 2025.
Among these, illicit money exchange activities for gaming purposes (money exchange gangs) accounted for 119 cases, a 9.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. Illegal loans for gaming and related unlawful detention cases recorded 45 cases and three cases respectively, down by 11.8% and 40.0%.
However, gaming-related fraud cases and cases of bodily harm each increased by 10 cases, representing year-on-year increases of 6.6% and 100%, respectively.
As for the overall crime data for the first quarter, the police opened a total of 3,332 cases – 43 cases more than the same period last year and representing a 1.3% increase. During this period, a total of 1,421 individuals were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office, a year-on-year decrease of 31 people or 2.1%.
Macau’s Secretary for Security, Chan Tsz King, said that while the total number of crimes in Macau during the first quarter rose slightly by 1.3% compared to the same period in 2025, serious violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping and grievous bodily harm continued to maintain a low rate or zero-case trend.
“Crimes of high public concern – such as fraud, theft, computer crime, domestic violence, money exchange gangs and juvenile delinquency – also showed a downward trend. This reflects that, through the joint efforts of all parties, the overall security situation in Macau remains stable and under control,” the Secretary said.
