Malaysia Takes Down 724,879 Gambling Items Since 2025

Malaysia’s communications regulator has removed 724,879 online gambling items and blocked 2,603 gambling websites since the start of 2025, according to figures given to parliament. The numbers matter for anyone searching for a Malaysian casino, because they show how much enforcement is happening in the background of every online casino Malaysia search. This report sets out what was said, who said it, and what the figures do and do not tell us.

What was reported to parliament

The figures come from a reply by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching in the Dewan Rakyat, reported by The Star (via Bernama) on 3 November 2026. They cover 1 January 2025 to 31 October 2026. Over that period the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) took down 724,879 gambling-related items. That is 98 per cent of the 738,372 takedown requests it submitted. MCMC, working with service providers and enforcement agencies, also blocked 2,603 gambling websites.

For the narrower January to July 2026 window, the report gives 573 blocked websites and 253,424 items removed through cooperation with service providers. The reply did not include the month-by-month breakdown that one MP had asked for.

Who asked, and what they wanted

Three members raised the issue. Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) asked about MCMC’s technology and expertise for detecting gambling traffic and blocking servers, and later called for a stricter mechanism to block bank accounts and financial transactions linked to syndicates. Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) asked how many sites and accounts were blocked between January and July 2026 and how effective joint measures had been at stopping them coming back. RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) asked about coordinating the seizure of gambling proceeds.

Who does what

The reply drew a clear line between agencies. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is the main enforcement body under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. MCMC acts on misuse of communication networks and platforms under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Online Safety Act 2025. It supports police with investigative assistance, information sharing and digital forensic analysis, and it identifies the content and websites used for gambling. Arrests and asset seizures remain with PDRM; MCMC does not seize cash or arrest anyone itself.

The minister said MCMC took part in PDRM-led integrated operations in 2026, named as Op JOL and Op Soga XI, which targeted online gambling and betting, including activity tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Separately, MCMC is working with police and service providers on Op Pancing and Op Delusi against misuse of fake base transceiver station equipment, which can be used to push mass text messages carrying links to illegal activity.

Banks next? A proposal under study

On the question of cutting off payments, Teo said a proposal to strengthen cooperation between MCMC, Bank Negara Malaysia, banks and enforcement agencies is being studied. She described the idea as a good proposal aimed at better monitoring and tougher action. Nothing in the reply commits to a timetable, so it should be read as under consideration, not as a new rule.

What the numbers do not show

A takedown count measures requests handled, not players deterred. The reply does not say how many removed items reappeared, how many of the 2,603 blocked sites were mirrors of the same operators, or how many sites were unblocked. A removal rate of 98 per cent shows platforms are complying with requests; it does not show that the volume of gambling advertising has fallen. Treat the figures as evidence of enforcement effort rather than proof of outcome.

For readers, the practical point is unchanged: domain blocks can change without notice, and enforcement sits mainly with the police. Our earlier report on the 7,411 gambling domains blocked covers the separate domain-blocking figure given by the communications minister. The regulator’s own material is available from MCMC.

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