The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will crack down on social media influencers promoting illegal online gambling by the second quarter of 2024.
Speaking to The Sun, a MCMC spokesperson noted that the authority was “finalizing the takedown procedures with major social media platforms”, noting that “concrete steps” against those involved would be taken by 2Q24 “at the latest”.
The authority’s main concern is that illegal online gambling apps are masquerading as ‘money-making games’, with social media influencers promoting the apps by flashing their earnings.
Online gambling within the country is prohibited under a 1953 gaming act, enforced by police.
The “MCMC takes a zero-tolerance stance against any form of online gambling promotion and actively collaborates with police to combat this illegal activity,” noted the representative.
The group notes that it has helped police block over 1,300 online gambling websites annually since 2018, has taken down social media accounts and blocked over 520,000 phone lines “associated with promoting online gambling and other offences such as unlicensed loans”.
