Taiwanese Criminal Syndicate Laundered $1 Billion Through Macau Casinos

Taiwanese government officials claim to have discovered a large-scale cross-border money laundering scheme that used casinos in Macau, China, to launder more than TWD33 billion (US$1.03 billion) in illicit monies.

In a news release on Monday, Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau revealed that an investigation led to the filing of criminal charges against a syndicate that allegedly used Macau casinos to launder money obtained via an illicit gambling operation on the island.

The only Chinese-controlled area where casinos are allowed is Macau, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic. China still claims Taiwan, despite Taiwan being a self-governing democracy with its own armed forces, currency, and elected government.

Allegations of Money Laundering in Macau

Twenty people have been detained in connection with the international money laundering scheme, according to the Yunlin District Prosecutor's Office in Taiwan.

The operators of the illicit gaming network in Taiwan allegedly hired money mules who traveled to Macau, according to the complaint, which the Criminal Investigation Bureau termed as the "nation's first cross-border casino money laundering case." Large amounts of cash and bank wire transfers were once accepted by the money launderers in the wealthiest casino hub in the world. These funds were then transferred onto spending cards to create enormous credit lines.

The mules then made huge cash withdrawals inside casinos to buy piles of gaming chips. In an effort to pass off the money as genuine gaming profits, the mules would exchange the tokens for cash after a brief period of gambling and send the money back to Taiwan.

In addition to travel benefits like loyalty points, the mules were paid commissions of one to two percent of the money laundered. One money launderer allegedly transacted $575,000 in just ten days, according to Taiwanese officials. $8,625 would be a 1.5% commission on the activity.

The Money Laundering Prevention Act is allegedly broken by the 20 defendants.

"The public should not be tempted by small gains or small interest rate differentials or reward points by accepting funds from unknown sources, as this could make them accomplices in money laundering, facing criminal liability and hefty fines, a losing proposition,” the Criminal Investigations Bureau said in the release.

“The police will continue to crack down on money laundering channels, improve their technological investigative capabilities, and cooperate with international judicial authorities to fully protect the public’s property and maintain a safe and secure environment,” the law enforcement agency added.

In 2025, Macau's six casino operators brought in $30.9 billion from gambling. GGR is growing nearly 14% year over year to $5.36 billion through February.

Are There Casinos in Taiwan?

Taiwan prohibits casino gambling, just like mainland China.

A measure to permit land-based casinos on offshore islands was passed by the Taiwanese government in 2009, provided that locals vote in favor of gaming. Although Matsu passed a similar referendum three years later, no casino has yet to open on the archipelago.

Gaming developers have likely been deterred by China's ongoing threat against Taiwan and its prohibition on casino gambling.