Six arrested as Macau uncovers illegal lottery ticket syndicate
Authorities in Macau have arrested a family of six accused of illegally selling Mark Six lottery tickets in violation of the region’s recently enacted anti-gambling laws. The suspects, including the owner of a grocery store in Areia Preta, his wife and several relatives were detained following a police raid.
According to the Judiciary Police, the suspects had acquired 40 Mark Six tickets for MOP$1,800 (€210) earlier in the month, intending to resell them at MOP$50 (€5.80) each. By the time of the investigation, 17 of these tickets had already been sold.
Law enforcement officers seized the remaining 23 tickets and handed the case over to the Public Prosecutions Office. The suspects will face charges related to the illegal sale of lottery tickets as well as unlawful employment.
Lottery sales of Mark Six banned in Macau
These arrests come in the wake of a law passed in October 2024 designed to combat illegal gambling activities and lottery sales. The legislation explicitly prohibited the sale of Mark Six lottery tickets from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) within Macau.
As per the law, offenders face penalties that may include a prison sentence of up to two years or significant fines. The law also includes provisions banning currency exchange services for gambling, loansharking, and the promotion or organisation of online gambling operations, regardless of the location of the servers or equipment involved.
However, this is not the first time authorities have taken action against the illegal sale of Mark Six lottery tickets. In September 2022, Hong Kong customs officers seized 16,000 lottery tickets in an anti-smuggling operation, leading to the arrest of a husband and wife on suspicion of money laundering and smuggling.
The couple was detained at their home in Tsuen Wan, where authorities also seized cash, bank documents, and mobile phones. The tickets, valued at millions of Hong Kong dollars, were intended for illegal distribution in Macau and mainland China.
Macau strict on illegal lotteries
Macau’s strict approach to illegal lotteries stems from concerns over the ease of access to lottery tickets for young people. Unlike casino gaming, which is tightly regulated, lottery tickets can be purchased with little restriction, sparking fears that young individuals may be drawn into gambling, risking their earnings in hopes of quick financial gains.
Macau authorities have consistently argued that banning the sale of Mark Six tickets aligns with their broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations and prevent illegal gambling practices from proliferating.
While Macau is globally recognised for its casino industry, its legal gambling options remain largely confined to casino gaming. In contrast, Hong Kong has operated the Mark Six Lottery as a legitimate form of gambling since 1976.
And so, the absence of an official lottery in Macau has historically led residents to look for illicit alternatives, often through unofficial channels or by travelling to Hong Kong to purchase tickets legally.
