Deputy PM Fadillah Yusof says a bill to address illegal gambling, focusing on online activities, is being drafted and could be tabled in Parliament soon

KUCHING: The government is drafting a bill to tackle illegal gambling activities, with a specific focus on online gambling.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the proposed legislation is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat as early as the next sitting.

“At the federal level, the government is drafting a law to address illegal gambling. Insya-Allah, we hope to table it in the next session of Parliament,” he told reporters.

He was speaking after the presentation of the annual grant to Village Development and Security Committees in the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency.

Fadillah stressed the serious social impact of unchecked illegal gambling, particularly on the younger generation.

The proposed law has yet to be given a specific name and is still under review.

Officials are considering whether to introduce it as a new standalone act or incorporate it into existing legislation like the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.

“Whether it will be a special act or incorporated under existing cybercrime legislation is still being studied,” Fadillah explained.

He said the new law would strengthen enforcement mechanisms against online gambling.

It would also facilitate more effective action by the police and other relevant authorities.

In November last year, Sarawak police highlighted the challenge of blocking access to online gambling platforms.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said a new approach was needed.

He called for closer collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd to enhance system-blocking measures.
(Bernama)

 The Sun Malaysia