| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Macau Police Combat Gambling Crime
- Saturday, 1 Apr 2006
A recent statement by the director of Macau’s Judiciary Police has confirmed reports that the organization intends to recruit up to 280 new police officers to combat the rising levels of crime associated with the gambling industry. The Judiciary Police, which operates as a criminal investigation department, currently employs 507 staff but needs to boost its headcount due to the increasing numbers of tourists visiting Macau’s gambling venues. Over the last few years Macau has become a major tourist attraction for both foreigners and native Chinese due to it being the only place in China where casino gambling is legal.
This year, some gambling industry analysts believe that Macau's casinos will generate almost as much revenue as the $7.5 billion dollars raked in by Las Vegas casinos last year. Reports show that Macau has doubled the size of its tourism industry over the past 10 year, mainly due to the promotion of its gambling industry. Top international gambling firms currently operating in Macau include Las Vegas Sands Corporation, MGM Mirage and Wynn Resorts Ltd.
According to the Judiciary Police, the demand for more officers is due to the rise of petty crime in the gambling industry. In 2005, approximately 18.7 million tourists visited Macau, which legally operates 19 casinos. Macau’s population of 480,000 is swelled considerably by tourists and gambling fans the year round, calling for more law enforcement officers to be made available. The director of the Judiciary Police has confirmed that the recruitment project is being supported fully by Macau’s government.
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