TLDR Macau’s Commission Against Corruption criticized the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau for trying to collect a fine twice. The case involved a casino visitor fined for nuisance behavior who was later banned from the venue. The fine was paid to the Financial Services Bureau but proof was never sent to the gaming regulator. The gaming bureau then asked a separate agency to collect the same fine again without checking payment status first. The regulator says it is now reviewing its internal procedures after the watchdog’s findings.
Macau’s anti-corruption watchdog has issued criticism of the city’s gaming regulator this week. The Commission Against Corruption said the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau mishandled a fine case involving a casino visitor.
The issue began when a person was fined for causing a disturbance at a casino. The gaming bureau barred the individual from the venue and told him to pay the fine.
He was also told to send proof of payment back to the bureau. The person paid the fine to the Financial Services Bureau as instructed.
However, that proof of payment never reached the gaming regulator. Months passed before the bureau took further action on the case.
The gaming bureau then sent a written request to the Financial Services Bureau. It asked for coercive collection of the same fine that had already been paid.
No one checked whether the fine had already been settled. This meant the same penalty was pursued twice through two separate government channels.
Watchdog Points to Coordination Problems
The Commission Against Corruption said this kind of situation should not happen. It noted that government departments already have access to shared electronic systems.
The watchdog said departments are responsible for keeping their own records updated. It added that agencies should not rely only on residents