{
  "id": 1844901,
  "title": "Perlis may follow Kedah in reversing lottery ban, says PublicInvest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/perlis-may-follow-kedah-in-reversing-lottery-ban-says-publicinvest",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T01:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1514203/perlis-may-follow-kedah-reversing-lottery-ban-says-publicinvest"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PublicInvest stated that Perlis could resume its lottery licence renewals following a positive court outcome in neighbouring Kedah. The firm noted that Sports Toto Bhd's operations in Perlis are currently closed, but the Federal Court's rejection of Kedah's bid to reinstate a lottery ban could have wider implications. PublicInvest believes the state government may reverse its decision to freeze licence renewals due to Kedah's ruling. Meanwhile, RHB Research is optimistic about Sports Toto resuming operations in Kedah, estimating a potential three percent boost to the group's lottery business, which could help offset the segment's structural challenges. However, analysts caution that the outlook for Sports Toto's core lottery business remains uncertain due to strong competition from illegal operators. Both research firms highlight that despite the possible reopening of Perlis and Kedah, these two markets represent less than four percent of Sports Toto's Malaysian gaming operations.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Perlis may eventually resume lottery licence renewals following the favourable court outcome in neighbouring Kedah, Public Investment Bank Bhd (PublicInvest) said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Perlis may resume lottery licence renewals post Kedah court ruling",
    "Sports Toto Bhd operations in Perlis currently closed",
    "RHB Research forecasts 3% boost to Sports Toto's lottery business"
  ],
  "editors_take": "A favourable court ruling in Kedah may prompt Perlis to reverse its freeze on lottery licence renewals, potentially boosting Sports Toto's operations in both states.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}