Apex court upholds ruling against Kedah govt’s pool betting, lottery ban

The Federal Court has upheld a ruling against the Kedah government's ban on pool betting and lottery licences. The court ordered the state to pay RM50,000 in costs. The Kedah government had attempted to overturn this ruling, but the Federal Court panel, chaired by Justice Rhodzariah Bujang, found the legal questions raised by the government did not merit court determination.

The questions focused on the court's authority to review the state's decision and the state's powers under the Federal Constitution. The case stemmed from the Court of Appeal's majority decision last year, which deemed the Kedah government's refusal to renew licences for pool betting operators unconstitutional. The court ruled that matters concerning pool betting and lotteries fall under the jurisdiction of the finance ministry.

The ruling also reminded the Kedah government that its authority is limited to matters specified in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution and the Local Government Act 1976. However, Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak, Azizah Nawawi, dissented, asserting that the Kedah executive council's decision was within its rights under the Local Government Act.

Lawyers representing the state government included Azhar Harun, while Brian Foong, Hiqmar Danial Hidzir, and Eolanda Yeo argued on behalf of the pool betting agents, companies, and officers.