Across the globe, changes are being made in the online gambling industry. Some countries are working to offer regulated and licensed online gaming while others are shutting out operators from countries and offering state owned entities. Every area of the world has some form of gambling legislation be it restrictions or legislation. In Malaysia, changes need to be made to existing legislation to take care of the illegal gambling industry that is running rampant in the country.
The Malaysian government is considering making adjustments to laws that already exist to try and stop what they call online illegal gambling. Early last week, the Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed admitted that the laws of Malaysia is archaic and are currently holding back the police force from prosecuting those who are offering illegal gambling activities.
Officials in law enforcement have been prompted to create amendments to the laws that focus on gambling. The changes proposed would include new provisions to be placed on the Lotteries Act 1952, the Betting Ordinance 1953, the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and the Communications and Multimedia Act. The laws of Malaysia have not been updated in decades, leaving the country far behind when it comes to online gambling regulation. Changes will need to be made to stop those who are illegal operating from doing so.
Nur Jazlan stated to The Sun Daily that for a long term solution to be found, changes need to be made to the existing law. This will allow the police to be involved in illegal online gambling and have the jurisdiction to fight the activities.
To try and stop illegal operators now, the government is using the Prevention of Crime Act. Taking into account investigations under the Act, a minimum of 29 individuals have been investigated for their involvement in online gambling operations. The Deputy Home Minister reiterated the fact that changes need to be made by integrating new laws for online gambling. The changes need to be made especially since illegal gambling groups have been changing the way they operate by using family entertainment center licenses.
Nur Jazlan reported that the process of training additional experts is taking place to provide individuals with information of online gambling to help activities be categorized and identified based on elements of gambling. By learning more, officials will be able to make decisions and help prosecute those who are operating illegally. The officials cannot handle the illegal activity as of right now due to the way the law is created and enforced.
Officials in law enforcement of Malaysia has been busy this year trying to take down illegal operators. More than one hundred thousand raids have taken place with only 5,834 being successful. This was just from January to November of this year. With the raids, a total of 15,154 bettors and operators were detained by officials. On top of the individuals involved, over 70,000 machines and computers were seized during the raids. The value of the materials seized was worth RM70.1 million.
The changes that are to be proposed have yet to be released. It will be interesting to see how the government will go about amending the current legislation to be able to go after those who are operating online gaming in a negative manner. There are regulated online casino gaming sites for players to use that are safe and secure in Malaysia. Players are directed to use such sites to be playing within the law and have access to a space that is safe for usage. The online casinos offer popular gaming favorites including blackjack, slots, and more.
