The federal government decision on whether to grant a sports betting licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd has been put on hold indefinitely.
Quizzed on the subject during a press conference after launching the SME Recognition Award 2010 in Kuala Lumpur today, Deputy Finance Minister Donald Lim said there was no time line as to when a decision would be finalised.
"We are listening to feedback and suggestions from the public and organisations.
"(This) until such a time when we feel there is nobody else who wants to respond (to the matter), then we will make a decision," said Lim
Adding that this was to ensure all quarters submitted their feedback, Lim confirmed the ministry did not have a final say on the matter.
Asked about the recent statement by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn that the sports betting licence will not be issued if police efforts to control illegal sports betting are successful, the deputy minister remained non-committal.
"We are listening to all kinds of feedback from many quarters [...] There many others [...] We will consider them," he said.
When the topic of how much will the government earn from legalised sports betting was broached, Lim sidestepped the question.
"All this will be informed to you once we have decided," said Lim.
Widespread protests
The government has been tightlipped about the decision to issue the sports betting licence to Ascot which is under the Berjaya Group, but according to media reports, Lim had announced on June 7 that a decision would be arrived at this week.
The Najib administration has come under fire for reportedly agreeing to re-issue this sports betting licence to Berjaya owner, business tycoon Vincent Tan despite protests from civil society, religious groups and opposition figures.
The widespread opposition may see the government backtracking on its earlier decision to issue the licence. The Najib administration has denied that the licence was already approved, saying that it is still under consideration.
Vincent Tan and Berjaya have remained adamant that the government had already consented to the licence's issuance.
Berjaya had sought licensing from the government in the mid-eighties to operate sports gambling operations
It was issued the licence by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987. However, Tan surrendered the licence in 1990 after finding the operation not lucrative enough.
Barred to non-Muslims
Berjaya was reissued the licence in 2003. However, it was not allowed to operate by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over from Mahathir in 2004.
With a new prime minister at the helm, Tan was finally given the green light.
According to a statement issued earlier this month, Ascot Sports said it plans to roll out gaming products for internationally sporting events including football, basketball, motor racing, tennis and golf.
Punters will be able to place bets through 220 Sports Toto outlets in Peninsular Malaysia.
"Ascot Sports will also offer telephone betting convenience and only adults above 21 years old and non-Muslims will be allowed to open a telephone betting account.
"Muslims are strictly prohibited from betting with Ascot Sports," read the statement.
Quizzed on the subject during a press conference after launching the SME Recognition Award 2010 in Kuala Lumpur today, Deputy Finance Minister Donald Lim said there was no time line as to when a decision would be finalised.
"We are listening to feedback and suggestions from the public and organisations.
"(This) until such a time when we feel there is nobody else who wants to respond (to the matter), then we will make a decision," said Lim
Adding that this was to ensure all quarters submitted their feedback, Lim confirmed the ministry did not have a final say on the matter.
Asked about the recent statement by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn that the sports betting licence will not be issued if police efforts to control illegal sports betting are successful, the deputy minister remained non-committal.
"We are listening to all kinds of feedback from many quarters [...] There many others [...] We will consider them," he said.
When the topic of how much will the government earn from legalised sports betting was broached, Lim sidestepped the question.
"All this will be informed to you once we have decided," said Lim.
Widespread protests
The government has been tightlipped about the decision to issue the sports betting licence to Ascot which is under the Berjaya Group, but according to media reports, Lim had announced on June 7 that a decision would be arrived at this week.
The Najib administration has come under fire for reportedly agreeing to re-issue this sports betting licence to Berjaya owner, business tycoon Vincent Tan despite protests from civil society, religious groups and opposition figures.
The widespread opposition may see the government backtracking on its earlier decision to issue the licence. The Najib administration has denied that the licence was already approved, saying that it is still under consideration.
Vincent Tan and Berjaya have remained adamant that the government had already consented to the licence's issuance.
Berjaya had sought licensing from the government in the mid-eighties to operate sports gambling operations
It was issued the licence by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987. However, Tan surrendered the licence in 1990 after finding the operation not lucrative enough.
Barred to non-Muslims
Berjaya was reissued the licence in 2003. However, it was not allowed to operate by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over from Mahathir in 2004.
With a new prime minister at the helm, Tan was finally given the green light.
According to a statement issued earlier this month, Ascot Sports said it plans to roll out gaming products for internationally sporting events including football, basketball, motor racing, tennis and golf.
Punters will be able to place bets through 220 Sports Toto outlets in Peninsular Malaysia.
"Ascot Sports will also offer telephone betting convenience and only adults above 21 years old and non-Muslims will be allowed to open a telephone betting account.
"Muslims are strictly prohibited from betting with Ascot Sports," read the statement.
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