Malaysia's MCMC took down 724,879 online gambling items and blocked 2,603 sites since 2025, deputy minister tells parliament

Malaysia's communications regulator removed 724,879 pieces of online gambling content and blocked 2,603 gambling websites between January 1, 2025 and October 31, 2026, the government told parliament on November 3.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching gave the figures during oral question time in the Dewan Rakyat. She said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) submitted 738,372 takedown requests for online gambling content over the period, and 724,879 items, or 98%, were taken down. The website blocks were carried out through service providers and the relevant enforcement agencies.

Monthly blocks in 2026

Answering a question on 2026 figures by month, Teo said 573 gambling websites were blocked from January to July this year, and 253,424 pieces of gambling content were removed.

Who does what

Teo said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is the main enforcement agency under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (Act 289). The MCMC takes regulatory action against the misuse of communications platforms and networks under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866).

The MCMC gives the police investigative help, information and digital forensic analysis, and identifies the content and websites used for online gambling, she said. It took part in police-led operations this year, including Op JOL and Op Soga XI, which targeted online gambling and betting, including on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also works with the police and service providers in Op Pancing and Op Delusi against fake base transceiver stations used to send mass text messages carrying links to illegal activity.

Bank accounts and seizures

Asked whether a tougher mechanism was needed to block bank accounts and transactions linked to online gambling syndicates, Teo said a proposal to strengthen cooperation between the MCMC, Bank Negara Malaysia, banks and enforcement agencies is being studied. "This is a very good proposal and is being studied," she said.

On the seizure of gambling proceeds, she said arrests and asset seizures fall under the police's jurisdiction. The MCMC does not seize cash or make arrests itself but works with police-led operations.

The figures come days after a nationwide police operation, Ops Dadu Khas, led to 282 arrests at online gambling and unlicensed lottery premises. For other cases in the region, see our Asia gambling enforcement and fines tracker; for payment-side measures in other countries, see the global gambling payment blocking tracker.

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