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A MAJOR police operation to combat illegal gambling saw 328 people arrested across Malaysia during a coordinated enforcement effort conducted on 30 and 31 August.
Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Bukit Aman, Datuk M Kumar, said the arrests involved business owners, premises caretakers, employees and gamblers.
“A total of 286 men and 42 women were detained. Of these, 258 are locals while the remaining 70 are foreign nationals,” he said in a statement issued Tuesday.
“They are suspected of involvement in unlicensed gambling activities that were targeted through this operation,” he added.
As part of ‘Op Dadu Mega’, police inspected 395 premises nationwide. Investigations revealed that 272 of them were found to be operating illegal gambling activities.
“Of the 272, 245 were identified as conducting illegal public lottery sales, 20 were engaged in online gambling, five were operating unlicensed family entertainment centres, and two were functioning as call centres,” Kumar said.
Items seized during the raids included cash, computer equipment, mobile phones and gambling machines.
All those arrested were taken to their respective district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation under applicable legal provisions.
Offences are being investigated under various sections of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, including Section 4A(a), Section 9(1) and Section 4B(a), as well as Sections 4(1)(b), 4(1)(c), and 4(1)(g) of the same Act. Other relevant provisions include Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and various State Entertainment Enactments.
“Convictions may result in imprisonment, fines, and whipping depending on the applicable section,” Kumar added.
He emphasised that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will continue intensifying such operations and called on the public to support efforts to eradicate illegal gambling across the country. - Sept 2, 2025