Macau government intends to collect biometric data on all visitors to the city, which it says is in line with common practice internationally.

André Cheong Weng Chon, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, gave the news on 8th when announcing at a briefing, that the government had finished drafting a new law bill covering immigration, stay and residency matters.

The new bill also proposes that hotels be required to provide the immigration authorities with check-in and check-out information on all non-local guests within 24 hours of such processes occurring.

The majority of gamblers at Macau are tourists, according to a number of investment analysts covering the gaming industry.

The bill aims additionally to allow suspension of – under specific circumstances  – the current maximum 60-day detention period for those caught either entering Macau illegally, or remaining in the city unlawfully.

There would also be a power of precautionary retention of travel documents held by such people, to stop them “intentionally delaying” steps to expel them.