Online casino and interactive gambling are illegal in Macau. With one narrow exception — the state-licensed Macau Slot sports lottery (football and basketball betting and instant lottery) — operating, promoting or organising online games of chance or online betting without authorisation is a criminal offence under the Law on Illegal Gambling Activities (Law No. 20/2024), in force since 28 October 2024, and punishable by one to eight years’ imprisonment. The law reaches activity conducted remotely regardless of where servers and devices are located. Cryptocurrency gambling is separately prohibited: crypto is not legal tender and all lawful wagering must be in Macanese pataca (MOP).

Macau is the world’s largest land-based casino market, but its stance on remote gambling is the opposite of permissive. Law No. 20/2024, which replaced the 1996 illegal-gambling law, for the first time treats online gambling as a standalone criminal offence: the operation, promotion or organisation, without authorisation, of online games of chance or online betting is expressly criminalised, punishable by imprisonment of one to eight years. The law defines online gambling by three features: (i) games of chance or mutual betting, (ii) played or wagered remotely, (iii) via electronic, computer, telematic or interactive systems, regardless of where the servers or devices are located. It also introduces criminal liability for corporate entities.

The only authorised remote-eligible product is the sports lottery run by Macau Slot Co. Ltd., which holds the exclusive concession for football and basketball betting and instant lottery. That concession was extended for a further year in June 2026 (taking effect 6 June 2026 and running to 5 June 2027). There is no legal, locally licensed online casino.

Who regulates gambling in Macau?

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) is the principal regulator, supervising concessionaires, gaming promoters and all gaming activity.

Foreign operators that offer gambling to people located in Macau fall within the prohibition. The 2024 law’s definition of online gambling applies regardless of where servers and devices sit, and the promotion or organisation of unauthorised online betting is criminalised. SlotWhizz does not recommend offshore online casinos to players in Macau; doing so exposes users to legal risk and offers no local consumer protection.

Payments and cryptocurrency

Macau does not recognise cryptocurrencies as legal tender, and crypto-based gambling is prohibited — all lawful gambling must be conducted in patacas. The Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) has stated that virtual assets are not legal tender and, in a 2017 notice, advised banks and payment institutions not to provide crypto-related financial services. Note that a prospective digital pataca (a central bank digital currency) is a separate matter from decentralised cryptocurrencies and would not legalise crypto betting.

Winnings and tax

There is no personal tax on a player’s gambling winnings in Macau. Taxation instead targets operators: casino concessionaires pay a 35% special gaming tax on gross gaming revenue plus contributions of up to 2% and 3% (for social/economic and urban-development purposes), giving a maximum effective rate of about 40%. Gaming taxes are a major source of public revenue.

Safer gambling and help

If gambling is causing harm, support is available. The S.K.H. Macau 24-hour Gambling Counselling Hotline (2832 3998), commissioned by the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and established in 2014, offers phone and online counselling. Gambling in Macau is strictly for adults 18 and over. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and treat any offshore site claiming to be “legal in Macau” with extreme caution.

Sources

18+ only. If gambling stops being fun, call the Macau Gambling Counselling Hotline on 2832 3998. Please gamble responsibly.