No New Gambling Licences Issued Under MADANI Govt – MOF

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 27 (Bernama) – The MADANI government has never issued new gambling licenses or permits and has not increased the number of gambling premises since taking over the federal administration at the end of 2022.

According to a clarification statement issued by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) today, the number of licenses and permits still in force is based on existing approvals since the 1990s.

The statement was issued in response to a statement by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor regarding the issue of gambling licenses in the state, which was allegedly misleading and gave the impression that the MADANI government did not control the activity or approve the opening of new premises.

MOF announced that strict conditions were imposed on all licensees as part of the control measures.

According to the statement, throughout the federal government administration from 2020 to 2022, which was also joined by PAS, no proposal or decision was made to ban licensed gambling nationwide or revoke existing licenses.

In terms of the frequency of special draws, MOF informed that the Pakatan Harapan administration in 2020 decided to reduce it from 22 to eight times a year.

However, the federal administration subsequently increased the frequency of special draws to 22 times a year.

"After the MADANI Government took over the federal administration at the end of 2022, the earliest decision at that time was to cancel the increase and reduce the frequency of special draws from 22 to eight times a year starting January 2023," according to the statement.

At the same time, MOF informed that a firm and responsible approach would continue to be taken by limiting licensed gambling activities, ensuring strict regulation and intensifying action against unlicensed gambling and online gambling.

On August 12, the Federal Court rejected the Kedah State Government's application for leave to appeal the court's decision regarding the order not to issue and renew gambling business premises licenses in the state.

The Federal Court also ordered the state government to pay costs of RM50,000.

A three-judge panel chaired by Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, together with Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, made a unanimous decision on the application.

Following this, Sanusi at the Explanation on the Issues of Obstacles to the Prohibition of Gambling in Kedah recently said that the responsibility for approving gambling licenses now lies with the MOF while the local authority (PBT) is responsible for issuing premises licenses after the operator obtains approval to operate from the ministry.