Malaysia’s federal government is drafting new legislation to tighten enforcement against illegal gambling, with a specific focus on online activity, as officials signal the bill could be tabled in Parliament as early as the next sitting. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said the government aims to introduce the measure once the text is ready, citing rising social harm and easier access for younger users.
Fadillah added the proposal still has no official name, and authorities are weighing whether to introduce a standalone act or fold provisions into existing frameworks such as the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 or broader cybercrime rules.
The move follows data from the Ministry of Communications showing the center of gravity has shifted to mobile and social platforms: from 2022 to Feb 1, 2025, regulators removed 224,403 gambling-related posts, including 209,006 on Facebook (about 93% of takedowns), and blocked 5,026 gambling websites with ISP cooperation.
Timeline:
Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat “First Meeting” runs Jan 19–Mar 3, 2026, with the parliamentary calendar listing a bills-and-government-business window from Feb 11 to Mar 3—the practical window for tabling if the draft is finalized. If it misses that slot, the next scheduled meeting begins June 22, 2026.
For online platforms, the draft signals a tougher compliance environment, with regulators aiming to speed up takedowns, expand site-blocking and close enforcement gaps as illegal operators shift rapidly across domains and social channels.
