Beijing Spies on Chinese Officials Gambling in Macau, Says Senior Lawmaker

Ho Iat Seng told the media in Beijing what they wanted to hear this week, that Chinese public servants visiting Macau are closely "monitored" and incidents of corrupt officials gambling have been all but eradicated. (Image: Macau Business)

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2025 December 24 . 9:21 AM

1 min read

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Beijing Spies on Chinese Officials Gambling in Macau, Says Senior Lawmaker

Macau’s gambling industry has undergone a dramatic shift over the past decade. Once a hotspot for corrupt Chinese officials laundering stolen funds, the enclave now faces strict oversight and surveillance. A sweeping anti-corruption drive launched by Beijing has reshaped who visits—and why.

In 2012, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign. The crackdown targeted deep-rooted graft, including officials who embezzled public money and gambled in Macau. High-profile cases, like that of Yang Kun—a bank official convicted of taking over $3 billion in bribes—highlighted the scale of the problem. Yang’s gambling debts alone reached $475 million.

By late 2014, Beijing tightened controls on money flows and clamped down on Macau’s junket industry. The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government began overseeing visits by mainland officials, while local authorities deployed facial recognition to track their movements. Many officials were placed on surveillance lists, making it nearly impossible for them to enter casinos. The impact was immediate. Casino revenues in Macau plummeted for almost two years. While VIP gamblers have gradually returned, corrupt officials have not, according to Macau’s Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng. The days of laundering stolen public money through the city’s gambling tables appear to be over. Today, Macau’s government works closely with Beijing to monitor public servants visiting the enclave. Surveillance and stricter regulations have replaced the unchecked spending of the past.

The anti-corruption campaign has left a lasting mark on Macau. Casino revenues have stabilised, but the flow of illicit funds has dried up. Officials who once exploited the system now face surveillance and restrictions—ensuring the old practices do not return.