The Judiciary Police have waged a community-wide campaign ahead of the forthcoming World Cup to urge residents, particularly young people, to refrain from taking part in illegal football betting.
The community outreach effort was conducted alongside young volunteers, targeting bars, leisure areas, and public spaces.
According to a government press release on Tuesday, this campaign took place between 2 and 8 June, with youth-oriented prevention highlighted as a focus.
‘Criminals frequently use match result predictions and promises of quick profits as tactics to lure young people into illicit gambling through social media or instant messaging apps,’ the statement read.
‘Once involved, one may not only suffer financial losses but also face corresponding criminal liability.’
The authorities said they had also strengthened school engagement, distributing materials to the underage near educational premises and areas where young people gathered.
The campaign also extended online to social media platforms, with the objective of spreading anti-gambling messages among friends.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 19 July, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States as its host countries.
In late October 2024, Macau enforced a new law against unauthorised gambling, superseding a legal precedent that had been in place since 1996.