Parliament to address illegal gambling in Malaysia

Laws will be amended in an effort to tackle illegal gambling.

Malaysia.- According to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a parliamentary caucus established to address illegal gambling will be a reality very soon. The proposal to set up the new caucus will be presented as early as next Friday.

Not long ago, Zahid said that said the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers are currently examining the laws on gambling as they are outdated and need to be reviewed. He also said that those involved in online gambling can expect heavier penalties with the upcoming amendment of gambling laws. The minister will chair a national committee to address illegal gambling issues to review the laws with weaknesses both on the legal, enforcement or procedural sides and to amend them accordingly.

“For instance, the Common Gaming House Act was enacted in 1953 (Revised 1983) during a time when there was no online gambling or cyber gaming. There is a need for amendments on the existing laws or new Acts that provide heavier penalties, both preventive and punitive,” explained Zahid . “The police, together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and other agencies such as local councils responsible for issuing business licenses and permits, are continuously monitoring and taking enforcement action on illegal gambling.”

“The illegal gambling outlets have also came up with different modus operandi, including abusing entertainment licenses by modifying their equipment and devices for online gambling. Most of these outlets have CCTVs (closed-circuit television camera) and have ‘tonto’ or informants who monitor the movement of our enforcement officers,” he added.