Court quashes Kedah govt's ban on gambling outlets

Court quashes Kedah govt's ban on gambling outlets


Published: Jul 9, 2024 6:29 PM


Several gambling outlets succeeded in their legal action to reverse the Kedah government’s move to ban them in the state.

The Alor Setar High Court on June 20 allowed the operators’ multiple judicial review applications targeting the state administration’s decision.

However, the Kedah government has since filed an application to stay the execution of the ruling, pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

On Nov 14, 2022, Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced that the government would no longer approve gambling licences, in addition to limiting the sale of liquor on all premises, especially in rural areas in Kedah.

He said the move was intended to tackle social ills caused by gambling, such as the collapse of family institutions.

The decision took effect on Jan 1 last year, shuttering all gambling and lottery premises in Kedah.

According to one of the judicial review applications filed by SM Lottery Sdn Bhd, the applicant contended that the state government’s decision was illegal, irrational, and unconstitutional.

The outlet claimed that the Kedah administration’s decision failed to take into account the multi-ethnic composition of the citizens of the state.

The applicant contended that the decision was made without prior consultation with stakeholders in Kedah.

The outlet contended that Articles 74 and 75 of the Federal Constitution empower only the federal government to enact laws and regulations for gambling.

Various district councils including those for Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, and Baling were also named as respondents in the legal action besides the Kedah government and Sanusi.

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kt comments:

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