The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have dismantled what they describe as a large-scale syndicate responsible for developing online gambling platforms and supplying slot machines and related components, following coordinated raids earlier this month in the Klang Valley.
The simultaneous operations, carried out on October 9th across seven premises in Damansara and Subang Jaya, resulted in the arrest of 147 individuals aged between 20 and 50. The group is believed to have been involved in both domestic and cross-border illegal gaming operations.
According to Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar, the raids were conducted by the D7 Division at around 2 p.m., leading to the seizure of a substantial cache of equipment allegedly used to create and distribute online gaming systems and slot machine parts. Of those detained, 140 were Malaysian nationals – 110 men and 30 women – while the remaining seven were foreign nationals, including six men and one woman.
Among the confiscated items were 139 laptops, 182 mobile phones, 126 monitors, 84 access cards, 28 electronic components, 13 work documents, nine desktop computers, six routers, five slot machines, five control devices, four audio-visual systems, four modems, two business licenses, and two electronic touch panels. Kumar said none of the premises had valid authorization from the Ministry of Finance to operate, supply, or manufacture gambling-related equipment, nor to develop or promote online gaming content.
Investigators have opened three case files under Sections 4B(a), 4B(b), and 4(1)(g) of Malaysia’s Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. The Deputy Public Prosecutor has since approved charges against 133 suspects for promoting gambling under Section 4(1)(g) of the same Act, alongside criminal conspiracy charges under Section 120B of the Penal Code. The seven foreign nationals face additional charges for immigration offenses under Section 39B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for violating the conditions of their permits.
Kumar added that authorities are exploring further charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, given the scale of the operation and the financial flows involved. “PDRM treats this issue seriously and remains committed to upholding the law, particularly in curbing the spread of online gambling,” Kumar said. He also urged the public to avoid involvement in illegal gaming activities, citing risks such as moral and psychological harm, as well as wider social consequences.
