Johor cops nab 118 in state-wide blitz on illegal online gambling

The Star
 
Johor cops nab 118 in state-wide blitz on illegal online gambling
Wild Casino

JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 118 people for involvement in online gambling activities in state-wide raids under Ops Dadu.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the operation was conducted from July 15 to 31, focusing on online gambling.

“A total of 90 premises were raided by police and we arrested 101 men and 17 women aged between 19 and 58.

"We found that 99 of them acted as caretakers of the various premises while the remaining 19 were gamblers.

“We also confiscated mobile phones, computers, tablets and cash worth RM20,184,” he told a press conference at Johor police headquarters here on Monday (Aug 2).

“We applied for 146 premises to have their electricity supply cut and 137 premises to have their licences revoked," he added.

He said to date, electricity supply to 46 premises has been cut by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) while four premises had their business licences revoked by the relevant local council.

He said it was important for the police to cooperate with agencies like local councils and TNB to eradicate illegal gambling.

The power supply cuts were made under Section 21A (1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 while those who were arrested are being investigated under Section 4(1)(c) of the same Act.

Comm Ayob Khan also disclosed that police conducted a total of 525 raids on online gambling activities from January until July.

“We arrested 705 people consisting of 549 premises owners or workers and 156 gamblers.

“We also confiscated RM235,315 in cash, 833 mobile phones, two computers and two tablets,” he added.

He said police had asked for power supply cuts to 224 premises from January to July, with TNB approving 74 requests.

As for revocation of operating licences, he said 224 suggestions were made to local councils in the same period with nine being approved.