Lottery tickets are legal in Macao under a regulated concession system where gaming is considered an activity reserved to the Macao SAR government. Under Macao's legal framework, operations offered to the public include activities where the hope of winning resides solely on luck, such as lotteries, raffles, tombola and sweepstakes (1). The government grants concessions to private entities through concession contracts for the operation of lotteries, including instant lotteries, Chinese lotteries, and sports betting on football and basketball under instant lottery concessions established before the 2001 Gaming Law.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau serves as the primary regulatory authority responsible for supervising lottery operations in Macao (2). Commercial raffle and lucky draw activities require administrative permits from the DICJ, and organizers must notify the bureau at least 10 days before conducting such activities, with approval granted within 5 working days once all required documents are completed. The DICJ exercises statutory competence to certify tickets, approve prizes, and supervise the entire lottery process from issuing to distribution and selection of winners.
"Lucky draw refers to the gaming activities of which the results are generated solely by luck. Generally speaking, it can be understood that winning results are drawn or generated in a random manner."
Law No. 20/2024, enacted in October 2024, strengthens penalties for unlawful lottery operations in Macao (1). Operating or selling unauthorized lottery tickets may lead to prison sentences of up to three years or fines for operators, and up to two years for unauthorized ticket sellers. The law explicitly prohibits the sale of foreign lottery tickets, including Hong Kong's Mark Six, with violations resulting in maximum prison terms of two years or financial penalties. All lottery activities must comply with relevant legal provisions and obtain proper authorization from the DICJ to operate legally within Macao.
Source:
https://www.dicj.gov.mo/web/EN/services/luckydraw/luckydraw-leg/guideline.html
https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/gaming-law-2024/macau-sar-china
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
