Police warn of rising online gambling promotion ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Police warn of a surge in illegal online gambling promotions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Summary
Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have warned of a significant rise in illegal online gambling activities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Authorities have observed a major shift from traditional bookmaking to digital platforms, with nearly 90 per cent of gambling activity expected to occur online. Illegal syndicates are using sophisticated methods, including social media influencers, to promote unlawful betting services. Police have detected a growing trend of gambling networks operating through closed groups on messaging applications and using cashless payment methods to evade enforcement. To combat this, PDRM will launch Op SOGA, a nationwide enforcement operation involving raids and arrests of bookmakers and bettors. The police are also collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block illegal betting websites in real-time.
(Source：Thesun)