19 Jul, 2022
The Malaysian Ministry of Finance is currently working on the possibility of legalizing online gambling. According to government estimates, the country annually loses 2 billion ringgits (about 452 million dollars), which can go into the state budget in the form of taxes.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin told local publication The Star that regulation of some online games, which also include betting, is being considered.
He also added that online non-gambling games are very popular in Malaysia. But you have to pay to play some of them.
“While they are not considered gambling, some of them have gambling-like features, especially those that use loot box mechanics,” said the Deputy Minister.
In turn, the Minister at the Department of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that about two months ago he contacted the Ministry of Finance, and on his behalf a proposal was made to amend the law.
“The law is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, and we cannot amend it unless we are given the authority to do so,” he says.
It should be noted that in order to legalize online gambling, it is necessary to amend the Law on General Gaming Houses - as far back as 1953.
