Gambling at Malaysian Internet cafes continues despite crackdowns

This story was published more than 14 years ago.

Malaysia is probably one of the most tightly policed places on earth when it comes to online gambling, with major police raids on mainly Internet cafe gambling a regular feature of the region. Yet new operators - or old ones with new equipment - keep appearing, servicing a persistent demand from the local punters.

Teruntum assemblyman Chang Hong Seong drew attention to the phenomenon again this week, claiming that despite action taken by the authorities in addressing the problem of gambling at Internet cafes, many such outlets are still operating openly.

The Star.com reports that the politician revealed that most of the patrons were youths, and this could lead to social problems and an increase in crime if the youths became addicted to gambling.

"I have written to state police chief Datuk Robiah Abdul Ghani expressing my concern over the matter after receiving numerous complaints," the assemblyman told the State Assembly.

"In the first 10 months of this year, the police and local council inspected 81 premises in Kuantan district and revoked the licences of 37 outlets.

"A utilities company was roped in to cut electricity supply at these outlets," Chang said, urging all parties, particularly the local council and police, to step up enforcement and surveillance so that Internet gambling outlets would not continue to flourish.

Source: InfoPowa News