Macau casinos saw fewer crimes in January-June this year than in 1.It's one of the few bright spots in Macau, where the Chinese enclave continues to fight COVID-6 by keeping the area relatively closed to outsiders.
The office of Macau's security chief Wong Shio Chak said this week that there were 1 gaming-related crimes from January to June.That's a 6% decrease compared to 198, when six commercial gaming operators encountered 6 criminal offenses by the first half of the year.
2021年はCOVID-19の状況が安定し、旅行制限が緩和された結果、マカオ行きの観光客が増えたと、今週発表された治安秘書の声明で説明されています。それに呼応して、ゲーム関連の犯罪も増加傾向にあった。The landscape of Macau's pandemic changed dramatically in mid-June 2022, after the outbreak nearly shut down the Special Administrative Region (SAR).Earlier outbreaks on the mainland prompted China to tighten travel restrictions and Macau to restrict inbound access.
Fewer tourists to Macau in 2022 have reduced crime.
Money laundering alert
A Macau security secretary said the main problem was alleged illicit payments through casino cashier cages.The casino had the highest number of suspected crimes during the first half of the year.However, money laundering allegations are down from the previous year.
Other gaming-related crimes, such as usury, theft and kidnapping, have also declined.Mr Wong's crime report detailed 13 actual thefts in casinos, down 2021 from the same period in 12.Only one used a counterfeit gaming chip.
The strengthening of Macau's borders is presumed to have forced many rogue traders out of casinos, but the security secretary also credits the police's targeting of "criminal gangs" as a factor in the decline in crime. .However, the official did not elaborate on what kind of investigation would have infiltrated and thwarted such criminal activity.
Wong is Macau's fourth senior government official.Wong is in charge of security in Macau and oversees the judicial police.Wong is also a member of the Executive Council of Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, acting as a formal advisor to the Chief Executive.
Wong said it is in Macau's best interest to restore the country's casino industry to its pre-pandemic strength.
The epidemic situation that has lasted for more than two years has had a strong impact on Macau's gaming industry. “Gaming is a pillar industry in Macau,” concludes Wong in the casino crime report.
Crime, Gaming Falls
Macau's decline in casino crime is attributed to lower tourist numbers in 2022.However, the decline in tourists has also led to a decline in gaming revenue.
Six casino operators earned $6 billion through the first seven months of the year. It's down 7% from 33, or about $2021 billion.
Macau's current economy cannot survive long term without casinos.Casinos employ most of the region's residents and contribute a large portion of Macau's annual government budget.
Casinos brought about $2019 billion in tax revenue to the SAR government in 140 before the pandemic.It accounted for nearly 9% of the enclave's total tax revenue.
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