Kedah gaming ban will lead to thriving black market, warns expert
Gaming outlets are no longer allowed to operate in Kedah after the state government decided not to renew their licences.
PETALING JAYA: Illegal gaming operators will capitalise on Kedah’s decision not to renew the licences of 4-digit outlets in the state, a criminologist warned.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s P Sundramoorthy said these illegal bookies would be difficult to trace.
“The 4-digit black market will thrive as more punters will patronise these operators,” he told FMT.
Sundramoorthy said these bookies have become more structured and operate platforms that are similar to legitimate online casinos, and are difficult to detect and eliminate.
Besides the loss of tax revenue from the legal 4D outlets, he said, those in the black market will try to bribe corrupt authorities that are responsible for keeping them away.
In some countries, these illegal operators have also succeeded in corrupting political figures, he said.
Sundramoorthy said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the communications regulators must monitor the impact of banning 4D shops in Kedah.
“All undesirable outcomes of banning legal 4D operators must be prevented,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: Illegal gaming operators will capitalise on Kedah’s decision not to renew the licences of 4-digit outlets in the state, a criminologist warned.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s P Sundramoorthy said these illegal bookies would be difficult to trace.
“The 4-digit black market will thrive as more punters will patronise these operators,” he told FMT.
Sundramoorthy said these bookies have become more structured and operate platforms that are similar to legitimate online casinos, and are difficult to detect and eliminate.
Besides the loss of tax revenue from the legal 4D outlets, he said, those in the black market will try to bribe corrupt authorities that are responsible for keeping them away.
In some countries, these illegal operators have also succeeded in corrupting political figures, he said.
Sundramoorthy said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the communications regulators must monitor the impact of banning 4D shops in Kedah.
“All undesirable outcomes of banning legal 4D operators must be prevented,” he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that gaming shops will no longer be allowed to operate in PAS-led Kedah effective Jan 1 following the state government’s decision not to renew the licences of these premises.
Menteri besar Sanusi Md Nor had announced a ban on 4D and gaming shops throughout the state on Nov 14, 2021, and ordered local councils not to renew their annual business licences.
A reprieve was given later, with licences not to be renewed after Dec 31, 2022 as federal approvals for 4D shops were in effect until then.
I sent a question on the 4D ban in Kedah to my long-time Gerakan contact.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, Gerakan are now bedfellows with PAS.
His reply "It's for your own good.."
Hahaha..how low Gelekan has fallen ..
Must not be too hard on your desperado Gelekan contact. The party has nobody to turn to.
DeleteThis party has always been irrelevant and will remain so; in the shadows of PAS, the big brother.
The MB of Kedah is horribly smart but naive. Did he know that gambling is next to prostitution that could claim to be the oldest profession in the world? Did he know that all over his beloved state and country gambling thrives? Especially where there are no legal shops or sales outlets, punters still have their ways (lubang) to buy their favourite winnable numbers. I remember right in the middle of Alor Setar town, in the 1980s, there was a thriving 'tikam' outlet operated by a family. This spot was across the Kedah River, about two hundred metres from the district police station. Business was conducted quite openly and law enforcers participated in the game too. Finally the outlet was closed down only after it was raided by Bukit Aman.
ReplyDelete