Some Macau Legislative Assembly members are concerned about the definition of “illegal gambling” under Macau’s new illegal gambling law, and specifically whether playing poker in a park or mahjong at home for cash qualifies.
The Second Standing Committee of the Macau Legislative Assembly discussed for the first time on Monday the new law, which passed a general vote in the legislature on 28 February. Monday’s meeting only allowed time for four clauses of the bill.
Among them, some members were concerned about the definition of “illegal gambling”. The Chairman of the Second Standing Committee, Chan Chak Mo, pointed out that “other laws do not have a very clear definition of illegal gambling. If it is a case of a few people betting with each other, or a few people playing poker and gambling in a park, or just a few people playing mahjong in a park, does it apply to the present law?”
Under the old law on illegal gambling (Law 8/96/M “Illegal Gambling”), the maximum penalty for betting outside of places authorized by law was a fine. However, under the new law, the maximum penalty is eight years of imprisonment.
There were also questions asked about the bill’s reference to “mutual betting” – which specifically relates to betting on animal races such as horse and dog racing – given that no such races exist in Macau following the recent closure of Macau Jockey Club.
Chan said he believes that the government’s inclusion of “mutual betting” in the bill reflects the possibility of setting up a provision for betting on overseas animal races in the future. However, he admitted, “I don’t know if the government was aware of the impending closure of the Jockey Club when it enacted the bill, and I need an explanation from them.”
Asked about another clause in the bill through which the Justice Department can extend the detention period of suspects when investigating cases of illegal betting, Chan expressed his opinion that this was so suspects “do not have enough time to notify other people to destroy the evidence.”
The committee will discuss the bill again on Tuesday morning, while a final vote on Macau’s new gaming credit law will take place in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
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