PETALING JAYA: Kedah police are ready for the possibility of an increase in illegal online gambling following the closure of 4-digit (4D) outlets in the state.
Kedah police chief Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said they already had plans on how to curb online gambling in the PAS-led state, warning operators that they will be “going all out”.
“In fact, I have had a series of meetings with my officers on our preparation to combat illegal gambling operators this year,” he told FMT.
Wan Hassan also said they will be working with other relevant enforcement agencies to intensify their operations in the near future.
Gaming shops are no longer allowed to operate in Kedah following the state government’s decision not to renew the licences of such premises from Jan 1.
Sanusi Nor’s administration announced an effective ban on 4D betting shops throughout the state on Nov 14, 2021, ordering local councils not to renew their annual business licences.
A short reprieve was given later, with licences not to be renewed after Dec 31, 2022 as these 4D shops had approval from Putrajaya to operate until then.
Criminologist P Sundramoorthy had warned that illegal gaming operators will capitalise on Kedah’s decision not to renew the licences of 4D shops, adding that these illegal bookies would be difficult to trace.
Sundramoorthy, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said these bookies have become more structured and operate platforms that were similar to legitimate online casinos.
As part of their efforts to curb illegal gambling in the state, Wan Hassan said Kedah police had conducted 1,856 raids last year, of which 1,075 premises involved online gambling.
A total of 540 individuals had been hauled to court from these raids, while 319 other suspects are still being probed. Meanwhile, some RM146,663 in cash was seized from those arrested.
As for illegal lotteries, he said police raided 782 premises and seized RM87,710 in cash. A total of 567 people were charged while 142 are still under investigation.
He urged the public not to indulge in online gambling, warning that the police would take stern action against them if they were caught doing so. - FMT
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