Malaysia blocks 2,195 websites for promoting online gambling

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has blocked 2,195 websites and 9,765 telephone lines for promoting online gambling.

Malaysia.- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has reported that it has blocked 2,195 websites for promoting online gambling.

The MCMC said the measure was taken under the Open Gambling House Act 1953 after police received multiple complaints from the public.

There were also 9,765 telephone lines blocked for sending suspicious spam text messages promoting online gambling.

The MCMC said the blocks have been carried out with collaboration from social media companies such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. 

A few days ago, police in Jalan Tun Razak, carried out a raid on an apartment that was being used as a call centre for illegal online gambling operations.

Last year, Sarawak youth and sports minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said online gambling had doubled in the state due to Covid-19 measures.