Malaysia: 6 arrested over illegal online gambling

Police have made six arrests in a raid on an alleged illegal gambling operation in Melaka.

Malaysia.- Police in Melaka have carried out a raid on a suspected illegal gambling operation. They arrested five men and a woman from Johor under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

According to police, those arrested were trying to cross the border to run an illegal gambling operation in the state. The illegal gambling centre was operating on a 24-hour basis with people working in shifts.

Those detained who are aged between 18 and 35, allegedly rented an apartment at Klebang Kecil to run the illegal gambling operation centre and had been living there for the past three weeks. Police seized electronic devices during the raid.

In May, a similar raid was carried out in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur where police arrested eight people for suspected illegal gambling operation.

According to local media, the raid was carried at a condominium in Desa Petaling. Police seized 10 laptops, 22 sim cards and 18 handphones during the raid. Those arrested are aged between 18 and 40.

Police reported the apartment had been rented at RM3,000 per month and that each man working at the alleged online gambling centre was paid around RM2,000 per month.

Police made another raid in Cheras the day before and arrested three men. According to officers, one of the men arrested was believed to be the counter attendant while the others are believed to be customers. 

Police said the illegal gambling centre had been operating for at least a month, allowing entry only to regulars.