Police in Johor cut the electricity supply to 86 premises linked to online gambling on Feb 25 and 26, Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said in a statement reported by Bernama on March 4. The operation was carried out under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and involved 64 police officers, 48 Tenaga Nasional Berhad personnel and seven local authority officials1.
The two-day operation was the most recent in a longer campaign. Kumar said 470 online gambling premises in Johor have had their electricity cut off between January 2024 and Feb 26 this year, and that local authorities revoked 88 business licenses linked to these activities over the same period1. Police have also asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block access to gambling websites1.
Iskandar Puteri recorded the highest number of affected premises at 19, followed by Johor Bahru Selatan with 14, Kota Tinggi with 11 and Johor Bahru Utara with 10. The remaining districts were Muar (seven), Batu Pahat (six), Pontian (five), Kluang and Kulai (four each), Segamat (three), Mersing (two) and Tangkak (one)1.
| District | Premises affected |
|---|---|
| Iskandar Puteri | 19 |
| Johor Bahru Selatan | 14 |
| Kota Tinggi | 11 |
| Johor Bahru Utara | 10 |
| Muar | 7 |
| Batu Pahat | 6 |
| Pontian | 5 |
| Kluang | 4 |
| Kulai | 4 |
| Segamat | 3 |
| Mersing | 2 |
| Tangkak | 1 |
Equipment was seized from seven premises in Muar and one in Tangkak, and the licenses of eight premises were revoked during the operation1.
"This reflects the authorities' ongoing commitment to ensure that gambling crimes can be eradicated for the community's well-being."
Kumar warned that authorities would not tolerate any form of gambling and would continue to monitor and inspect premises, and advised premises owners to ensure their tenants do not misuse premises for gambling operations1.
What it means for players
The action targets premises, not individual customers. No arrests, charges or penalties against players are reported in the statement, and no figures on customers found on site have been published1.
The practical effect is on where gambling can be conducted. Eighty-six premises in Johor lost their electricity supply, eight lost their licenses, and equipment was removed from eight locations, so those venues cannot operate as they did before1. The wider figures show the same approach applied since January 2024: 470 premises cut off and 88 licenses revoked across the state1.
The request to the communications regulator to block gambling websites concerns online access rather than physical premises, but the statement does not say which sites, how many, or when any blocking took effect1. Whether enforcement has shifted activity to other premises, other states or online has not been reported.
Malaysia's legal position on gambling, including what is permitted and what is not, is set out in our guide to gambling in Malaysia and in the wider overview of gambling laws in Asia.
What happens next
Kumar said authorities would continue to monitor and inspect premises to prevent gambling activities from spreading1. The request to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block gambling websites had been submitted, but no decision or timeline has been reported1.
