S’pore let its licensed operator go digital in 2016. A decade on, its M’sian counterparts still sell only at a counter.
In October 2016, Singapore Pools began selling through its own website and app. It did so on strict terms: it runs on a not-for-profit basis, its surpluses go to social and charitable causes, and it has to set daily funding limits for every account. Nearly ten years later, Malaysia’s two listed operators in the same […]
In 2016, Singapore's licensed operator, Singapore Pools, transitioned to a digital platform, launching its own website and mobile application. This move was governed by stringent conditions, including a not-for-profit structure, surplus contributions to social and charitable causes, and daily funding limitations for each account.
Ten years later, Malaysia's two listed operators, Sports Toto and Magnum, continue to exclusively sell through physical outlets, numbering around 1,500. Their financial performance has been declining, with Sports Toto's net profit dropping by 19% to RM188.9 million in the financial year ending June 2026, while its lottery arm reported a lower average sales per draw in the final quarter.
In August, the Federal Court dismissed a case that highlighted the consequences of a state revoking these retail licenses. The case centered on the fact that Malaysia licenses these businesses by geographical location, meaning the approvals held by the three number forecast operators pertain to their outlets in Peninsular Malaysia and not to their online platforms.
This leaves no room for online versions of these businesses. On the other hand, Singapore established a narrow legal channel for its licensed operators to enter the digital space nearly a decade ago, with the Remote Gambling Act coming into force in 2015, initially banning remote gambling and offshore sites, followed by a subsequent amendment permitting these operators to offer their existing products exclusively online.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has yet to implement a similar framework, leaving the online gambling market untaxed and unregulated. Recently, the Federal Court rejected a request from Kedah state to reopen 45 license-exempt number forecast outlets, shutting them down permanently in January 2023. The High Court ruled the decision unconstitutional, while the Court of Appeal and Federal Court affirmed the ruling.
This marked a significant clarification on the role of licenses in a market dominated by digital platforms.
Written by urgent.news from Vulcan Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
