Macau Arrests Two Men Over Illegal Remote Betting

Macau’s Judiciary Police have arrested two mainland Chinese men accused of livestreaming baccarat games from a Cotai casino to facilitate remote betting by customers in mainland China.

The suspects allegedly received betting instructions through Bluetooth earphones while one placed wagers at the table and the other broadcast the game using a mobile phone.

At a special press conference, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Siu Keong identified the men as Zhang, 41, and Li, 44, both described as farmers. They have been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), while investigators continue examining their alleged illegal proceeds.

Police Investigate Suspected Remote Betting at Cotai Casino

The investigation began after the Judiciary Police received a tip-off at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday about suspected remote betting activity at a casino in Cotai.

Officers were dispatched to the venue and intercepted the two men. According to the police account, Zhang and Li had entered the casino at around 2:00 p.m. to gamble, wearing earphones.

Investigators suspected that the pair were transmitting the baccarat game to customers outside Macau while allowing those customers to influence the wagers being placed at the table.

Mainland Customers Directed Bets Through Earphones

Police said the two suspects had distinct roles during the session. Zhang placed bets on baccarat, while Li stood behind him and used a mobile phone to livestream the game.

Both men reportedly received instructions from mainland gamblers through Bluetooth earphones. This enabled customers in mainland China to communicate their betting decisions while the suspects carried out the activity inside the casino.

The gambling session lasted approximately 30 minutes. According to Cheong, mainland customers had supplied the pair with HK$50,000, equivalent to 51,533 patacas, as gambling capital.

The alleged arrangement combined a live video feed of the baccarat table with betting directions delivered through the earphones. Police identified this activity as the basis for their investigation into suspected illegal remote betting.

Police Seize Phones, Earphones and Gambling Funds

During the operation, officers confiscated three smartphones and two Bluetooth earphones equipped with receivers.

They also seized HK$115,000 in casino chips and RMB2,600 in cash, equivalent to 3,146 patacas. All the items have been impounded as the investigation continues.

The seized communication devices, casino chips and cash form part of the evidence collected during the police operation. Investigators are continuing to examine the suspects’ alleged illegal gains.

Suspects Referred to Public Prosecutions Office

Zhang and Li were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office on the day of the press conference. They face charges relating to the illegal operation of online gambling and online mutual betting.

The case follows the police intervention at the Cotai casino and centres on allegations that the men livestreamed baccarat activity while accepting betting instructions from customers in mainland China.