Govt reviewing laws related to gambling

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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 8): The government is reviewing the existing laws related to gambling for improvements to ensure that they are relevant to changes in the modus operandi of gambling syndicates, especially online gambling, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said said the ministry is involved in the study being conducted by the Ministry of Finance for improvements so as to be in line with current developments.

He said it is among the steps taken and planned by the government, especially the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), to detect and combat gambling activities carried out either by individuals or syndicates.

"Another step taken is conducting continuous operations and raids through the Op Dadu operation, including integrated operations in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and local authorities, to disable these activities," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 8).

He was replying to a question from Noorita Sual (Pakatan Harapan-Tenom) about the steps and legal action taken to curb and combat online gambling, which is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Ismail said PDRM is also working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block gambling websites under Section 263 (2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

PDRM, he said, is also working with utility companies such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and water concessionaires to cut off electricity and water supply to premises often used by gambling syndicates.

Apart from that, he said PDRM had also taken action against parties involved in the activity, including caretakers of the premises and organisers of gambling activities without a licence under the provisions of existing gambling-related laws, such as the Common Gaming Houses Act 1957 and the Betting Act 1953.

He added that a total of 2,294 charges involving online gambling were recorded nationwide in 2019, followed by 2,911 charges in 2020 and 2,165 so far this year.