Macau: Two arrested for unauthorised money exchange in Cotai casino | Gambling Insider
Over HK$215,000 (US$27,500) in chips seized by judiciary police.
Key points:
– Mainland pair caught in the act during illegal chip exchange
– Two gamblers confirmed using unauthorised services
– Suspects earned an estimated HK$30,000 from prior transactions
Two individuals from mainland China have been detained by Macau’s judiciary police for conducting unauthorised money exchange activities inside a Cotai casino. Authorities seized casino chips worth over HK$215,000 (US$27,500) and three mobile phones linked to the transactions, according to reports in Macau.
The suspects, a 33-year-old woman surnamed Yin and a 45-year-old man surnamed Zhang, were found engaging with a male gambler inside a casino smoking room on 4 June at approximately 12.30pm.
Zhang reportedly showed a QR code on his phone to the gambler, who scanned it and received HK$20,000 in chips in return. The chips were then immediately used for gambling.
Upon intervention, police learned that earlier that same morning, Yin had similarly exchanged chips for another player. The two gamblers were located and admitted to transferring RMB 18,760 (US$2,600) and RMB 18,800 respectively in exchange for HK$20,000 in chips, which had already been lost.
Good to know: The pair began operating in March, reportedly earning around HK$100 for every HK$10,000 exchanged
Preliminary findings indicate the suspects had been running the operation for several weeks, profiting roughly HK$30,000 through these informal transactions.
They admitted to approaching gamblers directly and offering chip exchange services within the premises.
The case has been forwarded to the Public Prosecutions Office under charges of operating illegal currency exchange for gambling purposes. Police say investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional accomplices or wider networks are involved.
