Macau (MNA) –Â The Macau Judiciary Police (PJ) informed Macau News Agency (MNA) that is hasn’t yet dealt with any illegal sport betting cases since the beginning of the 2018 Football World Cup.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is currently being held in Russia having started on June 14 and lasting until July 15, with local authorties having initiated the usual procedures for preventing illegal betting in major football events.
‘Every time the World Cup is held we carry out inspection and promotion for preventing and tackling illegal gambling. Under the coordination of the Unitary Police, we are carrying out together with the Public Security Police inspection and promotion which will continue to be carried out until the World Cup ends,’ the PJ told MNA.
Betting on football is only allowed through Macao SLOT Co. Ltd., which has the exclusive betting concession in the city for instant lottery, football and basketball.
During the 2016 Euro football championship several crime prevention activities were held by police authorities to prevent illegal betting in local bars and entertainment establishments.
At the time the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department (GPPSD) reported that up to 40,000 gamblers were involved in illegal sports betting in the region, with almost 2,500 arrests being made in the first half of 2016, of which 1,500 involved the running of illicit betting schemes.
During the 2014 World Cup Macau authorities uncovered an illegal betting organisation that dealt with some HK$5 billion in illegal bets on World Cup matches, arresting some 22 people from mainland China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
