No new gambling permits, existing ones issued in 1990s, says govt
The finance ministry denies issuing new gambling licences, stating existing permits date back to the 1990s.Summary
The finance ministry has refuted claims by Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor that the Madani government has issued new gambling licences. In a statement, the ministry clarified that the number of existing licences and permits remains unchanged since their approval in the 1990s. It emphasized that the government has set strict conditions for holders and ramped up enforcement against illegal and online gambling. The Treasury also noted that previous administrations from 2020 to 2022, which included PAS, never proposed banning licensed gambling or revoking existing permits. Furthermore, the Madani government reduced the number of special lottery draws annually from 22 back to eight. The ministry affirmed its commitment to a stern and responsible approach to regulating licensed gambling activities. This clarification follows a recent Federal Court rejection of the Kedah government's attempt to overturn a ruling that barred the state from refusing to renew licences for pool betting and lottery operators. The court ruled that the state could not impose a blanket ban based solely on gambling opposition, but could regulate licensing based on premises-related factors.
(Source：Free Malaysia Today)