Finance Ministry: No new gambling licences issued under Madani govt

The Finance Ministry in Malaysia has firmly denied recent claims by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, stating that no new gambling licences have been issued or the number of gambling premises increased under the current Madani government. Sanusi's remarks, reported by media outlets, suggested that the Madani administration was not effectively controlling gambling activities or approving new licences to boost gambling establishments in Kedah.

However, the ministry clarified that this is misleading, emphasizing that throughout its time in office from 2020 to 2022, the federal government, including while PAS was in power, never proposed or decided to ban gambling activities nationwide or revoke existing licences.

Records indicate that in 2020, under the Pakatan Harapan federal government, the number of special draws was reduced from 22 to eight per year. Following the shift to the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional governments in 2020, there was a decision to either increase or restore the frequency of special draws back to 22 times annually.

Upon assuming control of the federal administration in late 2022, one of the first actions of the Madani government was to revert this increase, reducing the frequency of special draws back to eight times a year, effective from January 2023.

The ministry stressed that the Madani government has not issued any new gambling licences or permits and has not expanded the number of new gambling shops. As of now, the total number of licences and permits in force remains tied to the existing approvals since the 1990s. To maintain control, the Finance Ministry has also set stringent conditions for license holders.

The ministry reiterated that the Madani administration continues to adopt a firm and responsible stance by limiting licensed gambling activities, enforcing strict regulation, and intensifying efforts against unlicensed and online gambling.