Malaysian Authorities Block Online Gambling Sites

Hundreds of Online Gambling Websites Are Blocked by Malaysian Authorities

Although online gambling is not illegal in Malaysia, it is regulated by government and semi-religious authorities. This week, Malaysian authorities are cracking down against illegal gambling sites. This year alone they have blocked more than 530 websites total under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek stated that the blocking of the websites were made due to written requests made by the Royal Malaysian Police.

Malaysian news reporting agencies have confirmed that from January until April this year a total of 536 websites have been successfully blocked in the country. The shutdown is part of efforts to clamp down on illegal gambling activities and to get more control on legalization.

Communications and Multimedia Minister also said, “The cooperation provided includes assistance in restricting access to these illegal gambling websites. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has cooperated with the effort by providing technical assistance for issues involving gambling activities.”

Malasian Civil law states that:

“Agreement by way of gaming or wagering to be null and void
26. (1) All contracts or agreements, whether by parol or in writing, by way of gaming or wagering shall be null and void.
(2) No action shall be brought or maintained in any Court for recovering any sum of money or valuable thing alleged to be won upon any wager or which has been deposited in the hands of any person to abide the event on which any wager has been made.”

This isn’t the first time Malaysian authorities have blocked gambling websites in the country. They blocked 170 back in November 2014. This incident caused Playtech shares to go down 9% to 635.5p.

Online casino games is a crime in Malaysia, but with online gambling being so popular it hasn’t stopped players from making deposits and playing.