Malaysia’s 2020 budget has introduced significant changes to gambling penalties, aiming to curb illegal gambling activities. Announced by the country’s Minister of Finance, Lim Guan Eng, the new budget outlines harsher punishments for both illegal gamblers and operators.
One of the most notable changes is the increase in penalties for illegal gamblers, with fines rising 20-fold from RM5,000 to RM100,000. Additionally, while previously there was no minimum jail sentence, illegal gambling now carries a mandatory six-month prison term.
For operators running illegal gambling operations, the penalties have become even more severe. A new minimum fine of RM1 million has been introduced, replacing the previous RM5,000 minimum, with no mention of a maximum limit under the new guidelines.
In addition to these changes, the number of four-digit lottery draws conducted by the Number Forecast Operators (NFO) will be reduced from 11 to eight per year.
While gambling remains illegal for Malaysian citizens, foreigners are permitted to gamble at the Genting Highlight Resort. The stricter regulations come in the wake of a major crackdown on illegal China-facing online gambling operations, where authorities recently arrested 247 people and seized assets worth RM3.12 billion.
The budget will need to pass through Parliament before becoming law, but it is expected to do so without significant opposition.
