Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will keep intensifying enforcement against illegal gambling in Malaysia, speaking during an oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on February 111. Anwar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said past enforcement actions against such activity have produced seizures amounting to billions of ringgit1.
He was answering a supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) on whether action against illegal gambling operators is seen as a complementary measure to plug revenue leakages, so that fiscal consolidation does not rely solely on cutting subsidies1.
Anwar set out two obstacles to curbing the activity. Online gambling operators are sometimes based overseas, and the electronic mechanisms involved are highly sophisticated, allowing operations to open and shut quickly1.
"It is not easy because online gambling operators are sometimes based overseas. Secondly, the electronic mechanisms are highly sophisticated, they can open and shut operations quickly"
He said that alongside enforcement, the government is focusing on enhancing public accountability and awareness regarding actions that contravene the country's laws1.
The report did not specify the period covered by the billions of ringgit in seizures, name any operators or individuals, or give figures for cases, arrests or convictions. No new legislation, agency or budget line was announced, and no timeline for further measures was given1.
What it means for players
Malaysia's gambling rules are set out in our guide to whether you can gamble in Malaysia, and the position on wagering on events is covered in whether you can bet on sports in Malaysia. The prime minister's remarks signal continued enforcement pressure rather than any change in what is legal, and the practical exposure for anyone caught is set out in what happens if you are caught gambling in Malaysia.
The specific difficulty Anwar named, operators based overseas, is the same issue that runs through whether it is illegal to use offshore gambling sites in Asia. For locals, expats and visitors, the statement does not change the legal status of any activity; it indicates that enforcement is expected to continue at the current or a higher level. The comparison with other markets in the region is in our guide to gambling laws in Asia.
What happens next
No dated next steps were announced. Anwar did not give a timetable for new enforcement measures, and no bill, consultation or deadline was reported1.
