Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Sam Hou Fai yesterday warned that a rising number of gaming-related crimes appeared to extend beyond casinos, pointing out that there have been several cases in which gamblers died while they were being held against their will by loan sharks.

Sam made the remarks yesterday when delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Judicial Year 2016/17, at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape.

According to the Judicial Organisation Framework Law, the judicial year in Macau starts on September 1 every year, for which a solemn ceremony is held to mark the commencement. The courts are in summer recess in August.

Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Sam Hou Fai delivers a speech yesterday at the opening ceremony of the Judicial Year 2016/17 at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape. Photo: Tony Wong

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