Malaysian police remain committed to stamping out online gambling

The Malaysian police have become widely known for their sustained efforts in Operation Dadu against illegal online poker enterprises which continually spring up in small shops and residences throughout the nation.

This week police spokesman Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Salleh warned operators that the police remain committed to Op Dadu and will be keeping the pressure on. He also appealed to the public to report any suspected online gambling activity to the nearest police station in order to assist the police in stamping out the illegal pastime.

Illustrating the police force’s commitment, the police officer revealed that seven illegal gambling outlets disguised as cyber cafes were raided at the Temerloh industrial estate in Mentakab shortly before midnight Monday.

”The premises were raided in a three-hour operation by a team of D7 officers and 30 personnel from the district assisted by Bukit Aman,” the police spokesman reported, adding that 197 computer sets and other paraphernalia such as modems and servers, in addition to RM1,650 in cash were seized.

Nine caretakers including two women were detained during the operations to assist in their investigations, and another 40 patrons, aged between 20 and 50 and thought to be online gamblers, were detained and questioned before being released.

”The case will be investigated under Section 4B(a) of the Common House Gambling Act 1953, which carries a minimum fine of RM10,000 for each machine seized or up to five years in prison,” Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Salleh said.

”Investigations will also be carried out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Entertainment Enactment 1993 against owners of the premises.”