Malaysian police nabbed at least 216 people after carrying out 33 anti-gambling raids in two states during the Chinese New Year period.
According to authorities, 181 suspects, aged between 20 and 60 years old, were detained in Joho, a state in the south of the Malay Peninsula.
Of the 181 suspects, 136 are local men, 37 are local women, and eight are foreigners.
According to the Chief Commissioner of Johor Police, M. Kumar, the operation called “Op Limau” took place from February 5th to 15th.
The police reported they were able to seize various gambling equipment and around RM162,533.50 (€31,310) in cash.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation in the state of Sabah, east of Malaysia, authorities arrested 23 men and 12 women aged between 20 and 75 years old in ten anti-gambling raids.
The raids were conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Semporna districts.
Sabah authorities seized a total of RM54,911 (€10,577) in cash and gambling paraphernalia such as chips, playing cards, dice, dominoes, mahjong tiles, and dominoes.
Violation of Malaysia’s Common Gaming Houses Act 1953
Kumar said the suspects were found violating the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 by engaging in numerous gambling activities including traditional and modified games such as Pai Gow, Cho Tai Tee, Leaf Up, Labi, See Kee Pee, and Poker, among others.
The law stated that common gaming houses, public gaming, and public lotteries are prohibited in the Southeast Asian country. The law also states that any person found owning an establishment or participating can be charged.
Gambling is legal with permits and licence
According to a published study, gambling is legal in Malaysia only if a licence or permit has been granted by the authorities.
Several other laws in the Southeast Asian country cover gambling namely the Betting Act 1953, Pool Betting Act 1967, Racing (Totalizator Board) Act 1961, Lotteries Act 1952, and the Lotteries (Registration and Licensing of Gaming Machines) Regulations 1973.
SiGMA Eurasia and SiGMA Africa – less than a month away
With less than a month until the highly anticipated SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11th of March, the gaming industry is abuzz with excitement. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Africa is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s burgeoning gaming landscape. With the continent’s market poised for exponential growth, driven by a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem and increasing mobile connectivity, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry. By bringing together leading stakeholders and visionaries in gaming, SiGMA aims to catalyse progress and propel Africa towards a new era of prosperity and opportunity. As the countdown to the event begins, anticipation mounts for what promises to be a landmark gathering of gaming enthusiasts and innovators in the vibrant city of Cape Town.
The fourth edition of SiGMA Eurasia will once again be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Held between the 25 and 27 February 2024, the summit provides invaluable opportunities for attendees to network with industry professionals, gain exposure to the latest tech and innovations in the sector, meet key decision makers, and gain insight into new markets.
