Games took place in Macau, Philippines
Law enforcement in Macau and Mainland China are working to stem a tide of illegal bets placed through the Chinese social messaging service WeChat. Macau Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said the city’s Judiciary Police closed five cases of “betting via WeChat” in 2017.
“Crime syndicates solicited gamblers in Mainland China using WeChat chat groups, then carried out transactions via WeChat Pay and broadcast casino games that took place in casinos in either Macau or the Philippines,” Wong said at a press conference.
“The Judiciary Police will enhance their collaboration with mainland police departments to work on the prevention and when necessary investigation of such crimes.”
Last June, 13 Mainland Chinese and four Macau residents were arrested for allegedly arranging wagers through WeChat, reported GGRAsia. A spokesperson for the Judiciary Police, Choi Ian Fai, said the “selling point” for clients was the opportunity to “play real baccarat games in Macau.”
