PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked 6,381 online gambling websites from 2020 until the end of 2022 upon official requests from the police.

It said that 212,399 telephone lines, including mobile and fixed lines, that sent dubious SMS spam, like promoting online gambling, unlicensed loans and others, were also terminated during that period.

"Following a consumer association's request for online gambling platforms to be regulated, MCMC is committed to supporting police enforcement to crack down on online gambling that are subject to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (Act 289).

"The police carry out actions and enforcement while the MCMC's role is to provide technical assistance to them, including the provision of information and the blocking of gambling websites based on requests from the police," the MCMC said in a statement today.

In addition to enforcement actions, awareness, education and self-control are also vital in efforts to combat online gambling, it said.

It said users can also play a role in blocking online gambling promotion activities by reporting to the MCMC the promotion of gambling advertisements received via SMS so that online cancellation can be carried out with the cooperation of telecommunications service providers.

"If users receive gambling advertisements through short messaging applications such as WhatsApp and social media like Facebook, report the number or social media account to the application service or social media platform providers so that the number or account cannot send online gambling promotional advertisements to other users," read the statement. - BERNAMA

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/876797/mcmc-has-blocked-6381-gaming-sites-2020