Malaysia's Finance Ministry has rejected claims that the Federal Government has expanded licensed gambling activities, stating that no new gambling licences or permits have been issued under the current administration.
The Ministry said recent remarks by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor could create the impression that the Government had approved additional gambling outlets or relaxed its oversight of the sector. It clarified that the number of licensed gambling premises has remained unchanged and continues to be based on approvals granted since the 1990s.
According to the Ministry, the current Madani administration has instead maintained tighter controls over licensed gambling. One of its earliest policy decisions after taking office in late 2022 was to reduce the number of special lottery draws from 22 to eight per year, effective January 2023.
The Ministry noted that the previous Pakatan Harapan administration first reduced special draws from 22 to eight in 2020 before a subsequent Federal Government restored the number to 22 during its tenure between 2020 and 2022.
Officials also emphasized that there had been no proposal by the federal administrations between 2020 and 2022, including those involving PAS, to abolish licensed gambling nationwide or revoke existing licences.
Beyond maintaining limits on licensed gambling, the Ministry said it has imposed strict conditions on licence holders while continuing enforcement efforts against illegal and online gambling operators.
Malaysia has also expanded its regulatory focus to digital gambling promotions. Beginning June 1, sponsored advertisers on licensed social media platforms are required to verify their identities under the Risk Mitigation Code introduced through the Online Safety Act 2025.
The verification requirement is intended to make it easier for authorities to identify advertisers behind sponsored posts promoting financial scams, illegal investments and online gambling.
The measure follows broader enforcement efforts targeting gambling-related online content. Earlier this year, authorities reported that online scams and gambling accounted for the vast majority of content removal orders issued by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, with Facebook identified as the platform hosting most detected online gambling content.
Malaysia will require identity verification for sponsored social media advertisers under the Online Safety Act 2025 to help curb illegal gambling promotions
