MACAU SAR, CHINA Law and Practice Contributed by: Pedro Cortés, Lektou
7. Responsible Gambling (RG), Also Known as Safer Gambling (SG) 7.1 RG Requirements The RG requirements are stated in the Macau Gaming Law (Articles 42-A and 42-B) which mandates casino concessionaires to actively promote responsible gam- bling. This includes offering clear information on safe gambling practices and the risks of addiction, as well as enforcing access restrictions for individuals who are barred from entering casinos. The concession contracts expand on these responsi- bilities, mandating that each casino gaming conces- sionaire establish a specialised team dedicated to responsible gambling support. This team is tasked with assisting individuals impacted by gambling-relat- ed issues and training staff to identify and respond to signs of problem gambling. Additionally, concession- aires must submit annual reports to the DICJ, outlining their responsible gambling activities and plans for the upcoming year. 7.2 Gambling Management Tools See 7.1 RG Requirements . Macau has implemented measures to encourage responsible gambling practices, including allowing individuals and their family members to voluntarily ban themselves from entering casinos for a period of up to two years. This confidential process is managed through the DICJ. Following the 2022 amendment to Macau’s Gaming Law, new regulations have been put in place. These require casinos to develop and implement compre- hensive responsible gambling strategies, including: • restrictions on gambling-related advertisements; • limitations on the placement of ATMs within casino premises; and • mandatory provision of support resources for those affected by gambling issues. As part of these support resources, casinos must offer access to helplines and information about treatment centres for individuals seeking assistance with gam- bling-related problems.
8. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) 8.1 AML Legislation Macau’s casino industry adheres to strict AML stand- ards, overseen by the DICJ and aligned with APG (Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering) guidelines. Casino concessionaires must conduct customer due diligence, report suspicious transactions, and under- go independent annual audits. Meticulous account- ing and accessible record-keeping are mandated, with auditors required to immediately report any suspected money laundering. The DICJ and the DSF may per- form unannounced audits, and the Chief Executive may order further financial audits for public interest. Key legislation includes the following. • Law No 2/2006 and No 3/2006 (amended by Law No 3/2017) for AML/CFT measures. • Administrative Regulation No 7/2006 (amended by Administrative Regulation 7/2017) on AML/CFT preventive protocols. • DICJ Instruction 1/2016 (amended by Instruction 1/2019) outlining preventative measures required of gaming operators. 8.2 AML Requirements Macau’s AML framework for casinos requires rigorous transaction reporting and internal compliance. High-Value Reporting (ROVE) For high-value transactions of MOP500,000 (USD62,500) or more within 24 hours, a report – known as “ROVE” – must be completed within two business days. The ROVE must include details such as the individuals involved, transaction amount, origin of funds, and compliance officer approval. It is sub- mitted to the DICJ electronically on the 1st and 15th of each month. Suspicious Transaction Reports Suspicious activities, regardless of amount, are reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit through an STR within two working days of detection. Casinos must report any gaming, betting, or credit activities that seem unusual in nature, complexity, or amount and could indicate money laundering or terrorist
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