More Detained Over Livestreaming Baccarat Game in Macau
Police believe the main suspect has been continuing such activities since June
Macau’s Judiciary Police have detained two mainland Chinese men over allegations that they helped an off-site bettor place proxy wagers from a Cotai casino by livestreaming an electronic baccarat game, according to Asia Gaming Brief.
Officers said one suspect used a Bluetooth earpiece to receive instructions while handling RMB18,000 ($2,683) in prepaid funds, while the other allegedly split chips and kept watch.
Police said they seized cash, vouchers, phones and a casino membership card, and believe the main suspect had been carrying out similar activity since June.
Cotai Case Underlines Enforcement Pressure
The case adds to a run of enforcement actions against remote betting schemes in Macau, where police have repeatedly warned that live-streamed baccarat and so-called “proxy betting” are being used to funnel wagers to gamblers outside the territory.
In July, the Judiciary Police said a suspect had been filming a gaming machine and receiving instructions through an earpiece.
Judiciary Police said staff at two properties flagged unusual conduct early on July 5, leading officers to seize chips, slot-machine vouchers, modified clothing, mobile phones and earphones.
One suspect allegedly used a concealed phone setup in his shirt to livestream baccarat play, while police said he claimed he was only “testing” the equipment.
More Livestreamed Crime
A 43-year-old mainland Chinese man was also accused of livestreaming baccarat tables from a Cotai casino to gamblers in mainland China and placing wagers for them in real time.
Investigators said he wore modified clothing with a concealed camera, used an earpiece to receive instructions, and operated through a messaging app. Police said he was hired by the hour from mid-May and had carried out the scheme at least eight times.
Authorities said the suspect earned about HK$1,000 an hour and more than HK$20,000 in illicit gains, plus commissions. Officers seized chips, cash, phones, micro earpieces, a smartwatch and other gear, and later found more modified clothing in his Cotai hotel room.
