In an extensive effort to combat unlicensed gambling activities throughout Malaysia, authorities have implemented a strategic approach targeting the infrastructure supporting these operations. Since January 2024, Malaysian law enforcement agencies have disconnected electrical services to 470 premises engaged in illegal gambling operations across Johor state, demonstrating the government’s intensified commitment to eliminating these activities from communities nationwide.
Escalating Enforcement Measures in Johor
Malaysian authorities have significantly strengthened their campaign against unauthorized gambling establishments, focusing particularly on operations in Johor Bahru and surrounding districts. The most recent phase of this initiative, conducted on February 25-26, 2025, resulted in the disconnection of electricity to 86 additional gambling venues. This operation forms part of a larger enforcement strategy that has been steadily expanding since early 2024, with hundreds of premises now unable to continue their illicit activities due to the termination of their power supply.
The coordinated effort involves multiple governmental bodies working in conjunction to maximize effectiveness. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar has been instrumental in leading these operations, which involve collaboration between local police forces, municipal councils, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s primary electricity provider. The enforcement team for the February operation comprised 64 senior and junior police officers, 48 personnel from TNB, and seven officials from local government authorities, highlighting the substantial resources dedicated to this initiative.
These enforcement actions derive their legal authority from Section 21A of the Open House Gambling Act 1953, which specifically empowers authorities to disable operations at premises involved in illegal gambling activities. This legislative framework provides the necessary legal foundation for authorities to take decisive action against these establishments.
Geographic Distribution and Additional Enforcement Actions
The February operation affected gambling premises throughout Johor state, with varying concentrations across different districts. Iskandar Puteri recorded the highest number of targeted establishments at 19, followed by Johor Bahru Selatan with 14, Kota Tinggi with 11, and Johor Bahru Utara with 10. Additional districts impacted included Muar (7), Batu Pahat (6), Pontian (5), Kluang (4), Kulai (4), Segamat (3), Mersing (2), and Tangkak (1), demonstrating the widespread nature of the enforcement initiative.
Beyond power disconnections, authorities implemented supplementary measures to ensure these operations could not resume. Equipment was confiscated from seven premises in Muar and one in Tangkak, removing technological resources necessary for gambling activities. Furthermore, authorities revoked eight business licenses during the operation, preventing these establishments from legally conducting any commercial activities in the future.
Kumar explained that gambling syndicates primarily utilize digital platforms to attract participants and process financial transactions, adapting to modern technology to facilitate their unauthorized operations. To counter this technological dimension, authorities have requested assistance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block access to online platforms associated with these gambling activities, creating an additional barrier to their continued operation.
Malaysia’s Regulatory Framework for Gambling Activities
Understanding the context of these enforcement actions requires acknowledging Malaysia’s established regulatory framework regarding gambling. Within this Southeast Asian nation, certain forms of gambling are permitted under strict regulation, including horse racing and specific lottery operations. However, sports betting and online gambling activities remain prohibited by law, creating a clear distinction between legal and illegal gambling ventures in the country.
The MCMC plays a significant role in maintaining these distinctions in the digital realm. Between January 2022 and August 2023, the commission blocked 10,423 digital platforms for various legal violations, with gambling-related sites constituting the largest category at 4,484 instances. This represents approximately 43% of all blocked digital content during this period, underscoring the substantial focus on preventing online gambling activities. Other major categories of blocked content included those featuring pornographic material (3,271) and copyright infringements (1,654).
The commission’s content blocking activities have shown some fluctuation in recent years, with the highest number of harmful platforms blocked recorded in 2021 at 6,571. This figure decreased to 4,572 in 2022, followed by 3,724 in 2023, and 2,127 between January and August 2023, potentially reflecting changing enforcement priorities or reductions in illegal online activity.
Similar Operations Throughout Malaysia
The enforcement initiative in Johor represents part of a nationwide strategy to address illegal gambling operations. Similar actions have been implemented in other regions, including Kuantan, where authorities disconnected electricity to 10 premises involved in unauthorized gambling activities during a three-day operation in December 2024.
Kuantan District police chief ACP Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu noted that these establishments frequently disguised their true purpose, operating under the guise of legitimate businesses such as prawn farming facilities, gadget retailers, or mobile phone credit providers. This pattern of concealment presents additional challenges for enforcement agencies, requiring thorough investigation to identify gambling operations masquerading as legitimate enterprises.
Between January and October 2024, Kuantan police submitted 33 requests to TNB for electricity disconnections related to gambling cases, with 13 approvals received and 10 premises subsequently having their power supply terminated. The gradual processing of these requests demonstrates the methodical approach taken by authorities to ensure proper legal procedures are followed in each case.
Broader Anti-Gambling Initiatives and Arrests
Beyond infrastructure disruption, Malaysian authorities have conducted large-scale operations targeting individuals involved in illegal gambling. In a two-week nationwide initiative codenamed Special Op Dadu between September 22 and October 5, 2023, law enforcement arrested 1,871 people for participation in unauthorized gambling activities.
This operation, aimed at eliminating illegal online gambling and lottery betting, resulted in the seizure of cash, computer equipment, and mobile phones valued at approximately RM13,000 (US$109,000) used for online gambling, as well as RM680,000 (US$144,000) related to illegal lottery activities. The individuals arrested comprised 1,599 men and 312 women, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years.
Criminal Investigations Department director Shuhaily Zain reported that authorities had completed 382 investigation papers involving online gambling and illegal lottery operations, resulting in court charges. An additional 1,362 investigation papers remained under investigation, while 43 cases were categorized as requiring no further action.
Zero-Tolerance Policy and Public Participation
Malaysian authorities have consistently emphasized their unwavering commitment to eliminating illegal gambling activities. Kumar has explicitly stated that the police maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding gambling-related offenses, with continuous monitoring and inspection of premises suspected of involvement in these activities. This approach reflects the authorities’ determination to prevent these operations from becoming established and widespread within communities.
Law enforcement has also emphasized the importance of property owner responsibility in this context. Landlords are urged to ensure their tenants are not using rental properties for unauthorized gambling activities, with Kumar warning that authorities will take action regardless of ownership arrangements. This places additional responsibility on property owners to conduct proper due diligence regarding tenant activities.
Public participation represents another critical element in addressing illegal gambling operations. Authorities have encouraged community members to report suspected gambling activities, recognizing that citizen involvement significantly enhances the effectiveness of enforcement efforts by providing additional intelligence and oversight throughout communities.
Through this comprehensive approach combining infrastructure disruption, digital access restrictions, individual accountability, property owner responsibility, and community engagement, Malaysian authorities continue working to eliminate illegal gambling operations and their associated societal impacts throughout the country.
