Online casinos are illegal in Macau under the Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling launched in October 2024, which explicitly bans the promotion of unlicensed online gambling. The government has stated it will not issue licenses for online gambling activities, maintaining Macau's position as exclusively a land-based casino destination (1). Since January 2024, authorities have blocked over 36,000 illegal gambling websites operating within Macau's territory (1).
Land-based casinos remain legal and constitute the pillar of Macau's economy as the only place in China where casino gambling is permitted. The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau regulates all gambling activities under Law No. 16/2001, which governs casino operations (2). In December 2022, the government granted ten-year concessions to six casino operators: MGM Grand Paradise, Galaxy Casino, Venetian Macau, Melco Resorts, Wynn Resorts, and SJM Resorts, effective from January 2023 (2).
"The law bans the promotion of unlicensed online gambling, with the government stating it will not issue licenses for this activity."
The new anti-illegal gambling law imposes prison sentences ranging from one to eight years for illegal gambling operations, significantly strengthening enforcement (1). Only individuals aged 21 or older may enter casinos to gamble or work, with entry restrictions also applying to government workers and individuals judicially prevented from casino access (2). Casino concessionaires must draft responsible gaming plans, prohibit advertising gaming-related information outside casino areas, and submit yearly reports to regulators demonstrating compliance with responsible gambling measures (2).
Source:
https://affpapa.com/macau-officially-launches-a-new-law-against-illegal-gambling/
https://www.dicj.gov.mo/web/en/history/
Last updated: 13-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
