Six mainland Chinese held over casino livestream betting scheme

Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested six mainland Chinese suspects accused of secretly livestreaming casino games to viewers in mainland China and placing bets on their behalf, officers said at a special press conference Monday.

The six suspects, aged 27 to 53, allegedly entered a casino in the early hours of Aug. 22 carrying modified reusable shopping bags, boxes designed to conceal recording equipment and mobile phones.

The PJ said the group filmed gaming tables and transmitted the footage live to viewers outside Macau, where gambling is illegal. The viewers then sent remote instructions for bets, which the suspects allegedly placed using casino cash vouchers.

The group had divided responsibilities, investigators said. Some provided the equipment and betting funds, while others operated phones, adjusted camera angles and kept watch for security staff. They also allegedly used casino membership cards to accumulate reward points.

Authorities went to the venue after receiving a report at about 4 a.m. that day and detained all six suspects.

The investigation also found that one male suspect had allegedly taken part in the operation on at least five occasions since 2025, making an illegal profit of about RMB 1,500.

In total, officers seized seven mobile phones, altered bags and shoeboxes, Bluetooth earphones, HKD23,000 in cash and slot-machine vouchers valued at HKD67,975. NS