Sports gambling/betting must be regulated and strictly managed

Public outcry on proposed move to legalise sports betting in M'sia




Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak

	Public outcry on proposed move to legalise sports betting in M'sia

Public outcry on proposed move to legalise sports betting in M'sia

KUALA LUMPUR : A proposed move by the Malaysian government to legalise sports betting has triggered a huge public outcry.

Public opinion remains split, but Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing objections not just from the opposition but also within his own ruling party.

The fiery protest from the opposition Islamic party and Muslim NGOs did not come as a surprise.

This came after news that Malaysian Chinese tycoon Vincent Tan was reportedly issued a licence to operate sports betting in some of his lottery outlets across the country.

Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, has one casino resort and several lottery companies, and some Muslim NGOs said that is sufficient.

Ibrahim Ali, MP of Pasir Mas, said: "It just creates a gambling culture in this country. It creates a lot of social problems because a lot of people are involved in this activity. They become lazy and really rely on this kind of thing, I think it's not good for the country."

Ibrahim Ali heads Perkasa, one of Malaysia's largest Muslim NGOs. He also feels that non-Muslims should not indulge in gambling, which is "haram" or forbidden in Islam.

Under pressure from within and outside his own ruling party UMNO, Prime Minister Najib is re-considering the whole issue of sports betting.

Billions of dollars were said to have changed hands in each World Cup season through illegal bookies who could be operating from anywhere in the world.

Authorities here said there is no way they can effectively curb illegal betting without legalising it, which at least allows them to better regulate the activities and save the government millions of dollars in tax revenues that could otherwise be lost.

The three opposition controlled states have said they will ban sports betting if it is legalised. They said giving out more gaming licences is not the way to raise money.

Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, said: "It's a question of enforcement. If you have proper enforcement, you can regulate it. We are not talking about banning gambling, we are talking about reducing the increasing prevalence of gambling."

Public reaction is mixed.

"At least the government can get some money out of it," one said.

"As a Muslim, how can you legalise something (that) is illegal," another added.

While the debate continues, it is business as usual for many Malaysian sports fans who continue to place their bets regardless of whether it is legal or not.

By Melissa Goh |- CNA/al

MCA backs legal sports betting -It must be regulated

KUALA LUMPUR: Sports gaming should be allowed but it must be regulated and strictly managed.
“MCA proposes strict and stringent conditions to be imposed in sports betting, including the age of punters, operating hours and others,” said party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He said in developed countries, sports gaming industries were well managed and regulated.

Party matters: Dr Chua (centre), MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (left) and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (right) leaving after attending the presidential council meeting Tuesday.

 

“They have been rather successful in dealing with social ills that arise as a result of excessive betting.
“The Government should conduct an in-depth study of legalised sports betting in other countries,” said Dr Chua at a press conference after chairing the MCA presidential council meeting here yesterday.

At the same time, the Government must conduct public awareness and education programmes on the social ills of gambling.

“MCA discourages any form of betting. It is well-known that the illegal sports betting syndicates are out of control and have played an increasing role in the black economy of our country – involving money laundering and funding many undesirable business activities,” he said.

The Government, added Dr Chua, must step up enforcement in combating illegal sports betting the way it weeds out illegal 4D businesses.

Meanwhile, the issue continues to get attention in the Dewan Rakyat. Arau MP Datuk Ismail suggested that sports betting be legalised since it involved billions of ringgit and the Government could not gain revenue from the underground economy.