lei de combate aos crimes de jogo ilegal

29/2

Members of Macau’s Legislative Assembly approved on Wednesday the first reading of the draft “Law to Combat Gambling Crimes”, which has been presented by the city’s authorities as a contribution toward minimising the gaming industry’s exposure to criminal influence.

A total of 29 legislators voted in favour of the government-backed proposal.

The bill is an update to the city’s existing Illegal Gambling Regime, known as Law No.8/96/M, which as the title suggests, is nearly 30 years old.

A number of gaming lawyers has told GGRAsia that some clarifications would be helpful in order to asses the likely efficacy and overall intent of the draft bill.

https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-legislators-nod-first-reading-of-illegal-gaming-bill/

Com três abstenções, a proposta da lei anti-jogo ilegal foi aprovada ontem, na generalidade. A introdução de buscas nocturnas domiciliárias para crimes de exploração ilegal de jogos foi um dos pontos mais discutidos entre deputados. Alguns instaram o Governo a explicar se haverá uma extensão deste método de investigação para outros crimes “mais graves”. O Secretário para a Administração e Justiça salientou que o jogo ilegal tem a particularidade de não estar restringido pelo tempo e que há necessidade de criar ferramentas legais neste aspecto. “É preciso encontrar um equilíbrio entre a recolha de provas e a protecção do direito das pessoas”, frisou

 

A proposta da lei de combate aos crimes de jogo ilegal foi aprovada ontem, na generalidade, pela Assembleia Legislativa (AL). O diploma, que propõe a autorização de buscas domiciliárias entre as 21h00 e as 7h00 para determinados crimes de exploração ilegal de jogos, recebeu votos de abstenção de Ron Lam, José Pereira Coutinho e Che Sai Wang, e despertou intervenções de 10 deputados.

Che Sai Wang, Pereira Coutinho, Nick Lei e Ron Lam questionaram os fundamentos e a necessidade que sustentam a introdução da busca nocturna, que implicará alterar a respectiva disposição no Código de Processo Penal. Nick Lei perguntou se a medida se tornará igualmente aplicável na investigação de crimes relacionados com a segurança do Estado ou ligados à droga, pois esses são “mais graves” do que os de jogo ilegal.

A proposta inclui ainda disposições para evitar que, antes do primeiro interrogatório judicial, os detidos por suspeitas de exploração ilegal de jogos e apostas mútuas comuniquem com pessoas que não sejam o advogado. Ron Lam instou o Governo a revelar “razões suficientes para convencer o público”, pois a questão implica a protecção do direito das pessoas em causa, sendo que Che Sai Wang fez a mesma pergunta. Além disso, Ron Lam mostrou-se preocupado com a necessidade e a prática da introdução de “agentes infiltrados”.

https://jtm.com.mo/local/lei-contra-jogo-ilegal-aprovada-entre-receios-de-alguns-deputados/

fev24

Macau’s draft “Law to Combat Gambling Crimes”, due to be discussed soon by the city’s legislators, has been presented by the Macau authorities as a contribution toward minimising the gaming industry’s exposure to criminal influence. But some clarifications would be helpful in order to assess its likely efficacy and overall intent, suggest gaming lawyers approached by GGRAsia.

The bill is an update to the city’s existing Illegal Gambling Regime, known as Law No.8/96/M, which as the title suggests, is nearly 30 years old.

“The amendments and additions suggested to the current law are advantageous for Macau and all parties involved in the gaming industry,” Macau-based lawyer Bruno Ascenção told GGRAsia.

https://www.ggrasia.com/lawyers-voice-some-caution-on-macau-gambling-crime-bill/

A new law drafted to minimise the gaming industry’s exposure to criminal influence has some local lawyers suggesting that it is a wasted opportunity in its current form, GGR Asia reports. 

Lawyers Carlos Coelho and Francisco Leitão, of local firm MdME, told the specialist gaming publication that the proposed Law to Combat Gambling Crimes failed to address problematic currency exchanges taking place on or near gaming premises – an issue repeatedly brought up by both the Financial Intelligence Office and Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

“From a legislative standpoint it would be doable to criminalise such conduct, and the best opportunity to do so would be with the [draft] law,” but “it seems that was not the government position,” they said in a joint statement.

They also wanted more clarity in the bill’s wording around sports betting, which they viewed as at risk of being lumped in with types of gambling that will be illegal if the law passes. The latter includes the operation, promotion and organisation of games of fortune and mutual betting carried out online.

[See more: A new illegal gambling law will impose harsher penalties]

Meanwhile, António Lobo Vilela, a lawyer and former adviser to Macao’s government on gaming-related matters, told GGR “I believe a golden opportunity has been missed to pass a modern law on illicit gambling in line with the importance of Macao’s gambling sector.”

https://macaonews.org/news/business/macau-gambling-crimes-law-lawyers-comment-macao/

fev24

The Macau government has proposed a jail term of “one to five years” for those found guilty of making “illegal loans” for gambling in casino premises, as part of the draft “Law to Combat Gambling Crimes”, flagged in December, and which has just been published by the Legislative Assembly.

The bill is to be considered by the city’s Legislative Assembly. The legal proposal is an update to Macau’s existing Illegal Gambling Regime, known as Law No.8/96/M.

The city’s government suggests that “whoever, with the intention of obtaining a financial benefit for themselves or another person, provides someone with money or other means for gambling”, will face, upon conviction, a prison sentence of “one to five years”, as per the draft bill.

In aggravated circumstances – i.e., if the accused person is found to have demanded an identification document as a “guarantee” from the borrower – those convicted face “two to eight years” of confinement, according to the draft bill.

Under the proposal, anyone convicted of the respective crimes of: illegal exploitation of games of chance; illegal loans; coercion of another person to practise gambling or granting means to practise gambling; or of fraudulent gambling, will face the punishment – in addition to imprisonment and fines – of an entry ban for any Macau gaming establishment, for a period of two to 10 years, the bill said.

Anyone convicted of the crimes set out in the Law to Combat Gambling Crimes – if they are not residents of Macau – could be “expelled or banned from entering the Macau SAR [Special Administrative Region] for a period of five to 10 years”.

In the bill, the Macau government has also proposed that those found guilty of the crimes of: illegal exploitation of games of chance; online gambling; illicit lottery; illegal loans for gambling; coercion of another person to practise gambling or granting means to practise gambling; or fraudulent gambling, should be considered part of a “secret association or society”. The latter legal term in Macau is usually understood to be a reference to Chinese criminal groupings commonly referred to as “triads”, and such is considered a crime that might result in longer prison sentences.

The latest legal proposal incorporates another step: to increase maximum jail sentences and the permitted duration of what is termed ‘preventive detention’ in relation to gambling crimes, including for the practise of under-the-table betting via the “multiplier”. That had been flagged by local government officials in the December briefing outlining the general terms of the bill.

https://www.ggrasia.com/1-5-years-jail-term-for-illegal-loans-on-bets-macau-bill/

fev24

Macau’s new bill, “Law to combat illegal gambling crimes”, states that mutuum by shops in casinos will be categorized as lending for gambling purposes.

According to the details of the bill, anyone who lends money or other resources to another person for the purpose of gambling, and in the process succeeds in obtaining a benefit for himself or another person, will be regarded as illegally lending money, and is liable to a maximum penalty of one to five years’ imprisonment.

The bill also specifically mentions “consumer lending (mutuum)”, which in casinos is presumed to be lending for the purpose of gambling.

As mentioned in the Bill, all ancillary facilities used specifically for gaming, associated facilities engaged in arts, culture, recreation and commerce, or facilities in close proximity to hotels are regarded as casinos when it comes to lending.

However, the borrower will not be penalized.

“Mutuum” describes consumer lending relationship where a person gives money or other goods to another person and that other person later returns money or goods of the same type and quality. The lender usually gains a benefit either by being involved in the gambling or charging some sort of interest or fee.

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2024/02/20/new-bill-says-mutuum-by-shops-near-macau-casinos-to-be-regarded-as-lending-for-gambling-purposes/

 dez23´

O Conselho Executivo apresentou ontem a proposta de lei de combate aos crimes de jogo ilegal. O diploma prevê a utilização de agentes infiltrados na investigação e buscas domiciliárias no período nocturno. A proposta de lei do Governo, que segue agora para discussão na Assembleia Legislativa, vai aumentar a moldura penal deste tipo de crimes, incluindo a prorrogação dos prazos de duração máxima da prisão preventiva.

https://pontofinal-macau.com/2023/12/12/lei-do-combate-ao-jogo-ilegal-preve-prorrogacao-dos-prazos-de-prisao-preventiva/