Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof recently announced that the federal government is drafting a new bill to curb illegal online gambling and plans to submit it at the next parliamentary session. He stated that if illegal gambling is not controlled, it will affect social welfare, especially the younger generation. In plain terms, the existing laws can't keep up with technological advancements, and it's time to patch things up. The new law may be introduced as a special act or incorporated into the existing Gambling Act 1953, while also granting greater enforcement powers to the police and local authorities. Want to know how Southeast Asian countries are upgrading their arsenal against illegal gambling? Follow PASA's official website for the latest legislative and enforcement updates.
Background of the Legislation: Technology is moving too fast, and the law can't keep up
Malaysia's Minister of Home Affairs, Saifuddin, has already expressed concerns about the growth of illegal gambling, especially online. The Royal Police have called for an update of the laws to reflect technological advancements—including social media marketing and instant deposit features of e-wallets.
Last year, Malaysian ministers directly targeted Meta, accusing it of failing to curb gambling ads on Facebook. Data from the Ministry of Communications shows that 93% of illegal gambling promotions originate from this platform.
Direction of the New Law: Expanding authority, strengthening deterrence
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah revealed that the focus of the new bill includes:
Legal Form: It can be introduced as a special act, or incorporated into the existing Gambling Act 1953
Enforcement Authority: Expanding the powers of the police and government agencies to crack down on illegal operators
Punishment Standards: Under current law, offenders can face fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 Ringgit and at least 6 months imprisonment
When asked about specific statistics on illegal gambling, Fadillah emphasized, "No matter how many cases there are, we must take it seriously. The key is to strengthen the law to give the police clearer powers of action."
————
This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel: https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel: https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
