Malaysia's Ministry of Finance has rejected claims by Kedah chief minister Sanusi Nor that federal authorities are issuing new gambling permits. The ministry said the number of licensed gambling outlets has remained unchanged since the 1990s.
The statement followed a Federal Court ruling on 12 August that dismissed Kedah's appeal against a decision barring the state from refusing to renew licences for betting pools and lotteries. A three-judge panel found Kedah failed to meet requirements under section 96(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. The state was ordered to pay RM50,000 ($12,397) in costs.
The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that states cannot ban gambling operations on ideological grounds alone. State licensing powers are limited to premises control — safety, sanitation and location suitability — not gambling policy.
The ministry noted that when the Malaysian Islamic Party was part of the federal government between 2020 and 2022, no ban on licensed gambling was introduced. Instead, the number of special lottery draws was raised from eight to 22 a year. The current administration has returned the figure to eight.
Earlier this year, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said legislation against illegal gambling is in preparation. It may be adopted as a standalone act or incorporated into cyber legislation, including the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
