Police arrested 282 individuals and seized RM32,149 in cash during 201 raids nationwide under Op Dadu Khas targeting online gambling and unlicensed lotteries.
PETALING JAYA: A total of 282 people were arrested in a nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling, with police conducting 201 raids on online gambling and unlicensed public lottery operations over two days.
The operation, dubbed Op Dadu Khas, was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from Oct 31 to Nov 1, targeting business premises involved in online gambling (JOL) and unlicensed public lotteries (ENE).
CID director CP Datuk M. Kumar said 108 raids were conducted against online gambling activities, while another 93 targeted unlicensed public lottery operations.
“Those arrested, aged between 20 and 65, comprised 229 men and 53 women.
“Of the total, 223 were Malaysians and 59 were foreigners. However, the citizenship details were based on preliminary checks of identification documents and remain subject to further verification,” he said in a statement.
Police also seized various equipment and electronic devices believed to have been used in the illegal gambling activities, including tablets, mobile phones and mobile printers.
A total of RM32,149 in cash was also seized.
All those arrested were remanded for between one and four days to assist in investigations.
“The suspects are being investigated under several provisions of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, including Section 4A(a), which covers assisting in the operation of a public lottery.
“Those convicted under this provision face a fine of between RM20,000 and RM200,000 and imprisonment for up to five years,” he said.
Kumar said investigations were also being conducted under Section 4B(a) of the same Act for dealing in or conducting transactions involving any part of a gambling machine, as well as Section 4(1)(c), which covers managing or assisting in the management of premises used as a common gaming house.
Some foreign suspects are also being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for offences relating to entering or remaining in Malaysia without valid passes or permits, or staying in the country after their passes or permits had expired or been cancelled.
Kumar said police would continue to take firm action against individuals, groups and syndicates involved in all forms of unlicensed gambling.
He said enforcement efforts would be intensified through strategic cooperation with local authorities and relevant agencies.
These efforts include cutting off electricity supplies to premises involved in illegal gambling under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Kumar also urged the public to continue providing information to help the authorities combat illegal gambling.
He said public cooperation was crucial to strengthening enforcement efforts, maintaining public safety and order, and protecting the social well-being of Malaysians.
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