Several gambling outlets in the Malaysian state of Kedah have managed to overturn the local government’s ban on their operations.
On June 20th, the High Court in the state capital Alor Setar granted these operators’ judicial review applications against the state’s decision. In return, the Kedah state government has already filed an appeal to stay this decision.
On November 14th, 2021, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced that Kedah would stop issuing and renewing gambling licenses to create a gambling-free state. He also aimed to restrict alcohol sales, especially in rural areas.
In one judicial review, STM Lottery SDN BHD claimed the state’s decision was illegal, irrational, and unconstitutional, neglecting Kedah’s multi-ethnic population. They argued that only the federal government has the authority to regulate gambling under Articles 74 and 75 of the Federal Constitution.
Various district councils, along with the Kedah government and Sanusi, were named as respondents in the legal action. Since January 2023, Kedah has closed all its 45 gaming outlets, following similar bans in Kelantan and Terengganu since 1990 and 2020, respectively.
