Closure of lottery shops won’t affect Kedah’s income, says MB

 

Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor said the state government’s total income through gambling premises was only about RM400,000 a year. (Bernama pic)

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government’s income will not be affected by the closing down of gambling and lottery ticket outlets statewide effective Jan 1.

Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor said records showed that the state government’s total income through gambling premises was only about RM400,000 a year.

“Even if it was RM400 million, I will still close down all gambling and lottery premises. The amount obtained is very little but the effects of gambling are huge.

“I want to uplift the society. (There are) family members who are divided, fathers who become gamblers and hit their wives, children who sell property and steal money to feed their gambling addiction … the damage is worse than RM400,000,” he said when asked if the state’s income would be affected by the decision to shut down lottery premises in Kedah.

Earlier, he chaired the state executive council meeting at Wisma Darul Aman here.

On allegations that there were gambling premises operating illegally, he said the state government would leave it to the authorities.

“I would also like to state that the decision to close down these gambling premises was not made drastically, as the owners of such premises had been informed earlier and they should have made preparations to divert their businesses.

“So, I hope the public will relay information to the police if they know of any gambling activities that are still going on,” he said.

On Jan 1, all gambling and lottery premises in Kedah ceased operations after the state government decided not to renew gambling licences in the state after their expiry on Dec 31, 2022. - FMT