THE advancement of technology in the digital world has presented an added challenge to police tasked with curbing illegal gambling in Sarawak.
With the advent of smartphones, operators no longer need or depend on premises to run their business.
State Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar said illegal online gambling persisted despite the department conducting raids every week.
“Although there is a drop in the number of cyber gambling premises, which operate with laptops and computers, the illegal activities do not stop there.
“Instead of going to premises as walk-in customers, gamblers can now gamble everywhere as operators are offering reload and online services.
“All they need to do is reload their phones and they can gamble anywhere, even at home,” he said yesterday.
Dev said the force had, in turn, intensified its efforts by detaining and remanding illegal operators to discourage them from operating.
“We will continue to boost our efforts to ensure that illegal gambling in the state is eradicated.”
As for the illegal gambling premises using slot machines, Dev said such outlets had been shut down for months.
“The outlets, which had abused their entertainment centre licence by conducting illegal gaming activities using slot machines, had been shut down and did not reopen.
“So, we are confident that we have seen the end of these machines in the state.”
In a statewide crackdown on illegal gambling last week, police conducted 78 raids in 18 districts.
Ninety-six people aged between 17 and 67, including 10 foreigners, were arrested.
Of the number, 23 were nabbed in raids on five cyber gambling outlets in Padawan, Kota Samarahan and here.
“Mobile phones, portable printers, calculators, betting slips, tablets and about RM27,000 were seized in the operation,” Dev said.
All suspects are being investigated for offences under the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and Immigration Act.