Malaysia Moves to Modernise Laws as Online Gambling Syndicates Spread Nationwide

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government is reviewing existing statutes after police flagged gaps in the current legal framework, which dates back decades and was not designed to address internet-based gambling. His comments were reported by The New Straits Times.

In a written reply to Parliament, Saifuddin confirmed that the Royal Malaysia Police had formally proposed a legal overhaul to ensure enforcement remains effective against evolving online gambling methods. The review involves close coordination between the Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, Communications Ministry, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and the National Cyber Security Agency.

Among the key measures under consideration is an update to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, a law widely seen as outdated in the digital era. The government is also examining the inclusion of specific online gambling provisions in the proposed Cyber Crime Bill, which would give authorities clearer powers to investigate and disrupt online syndicates.

Saifuddin noted that illegal gambling networks have expanded beyond major cities, with enforcement efforts intensifying in rural areas, particularly in Sarawak. He said the proposed legal changes aim to dismantle organised syndicates and strengthen preventive measures for vulnerable communities.

The minister was responding to a question from Batang Lupar MP Mohamad Shafizan Kepli, who asked what steps the government had taken to tackle the spread of illegal gambling premises and online operations, as well as what safeguards were in place to protect affected populations.

Recent enforcement data highlights the scale of the problem. Between 2022 and 2025, police conducted 4,750 raids across Sarawak alone, resulting in 4,992 arrests. Authorities also seized RM740,000 in cash and requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block 1,477 gambling-related websites during that period.

The renewed push for stricter laws comes after a controversial proposal in 2021, when the Perikatan Nasional administration briefly floated the idea of legalising online gambling. That proposal was never pursued. The current review signals a shift in focus toward tighter regulation, stronger enforcement, and adapting Malaysia’s legal framework to the realities of online crime in an increasingly digital society.