(Financial Times) -- When Macau unveiled record gambling revenues on Tuesday, the government was silent about the source of much of the cash fuelling the territory's boom: illegal money transfers from mainland China. From pawn shops offering money withdrawal services, to underground banks using human mules to transport cash across the border, Macau tolerates the illicit methods that mainland punters use to bring money into the former Portuguese colony, which reverted to Chinese control in 1999. Mainland tourists, who have made Macau the world's largest gambling centre, can legally bring only Rmb20,000 ($3,175) when crossing into the Chinese territory. But many gamblers bring more cash to the casino tables by using their Unionpay debit card to withdraw money -- for a fee.
@highlight
Macau tolerates illicit methods to bring money into the former Portuguese colony
@highlight
Underground banks using human mules to transport cash across the border
@highlight
Macau had record gambling revenues from 16M mainland visitors last year
"Banking restrictions make it very difficult to transfer funds to @placeholder legitimately, but it is easy for people to find ways [around the rules]," says a senior Chinese bank manager who gambles in Macau.