BALIK PULAU: Operators of family entertainment centres have been found to be abusing valid licenses to run illegal gambling activities in the state.
Deputy state police chief Datuk Roslee Chik in citing an example, said investigations revealed that only 10 of such licenses were issued in the past three years.
He however said of the 10 licenses issued, syndicate members would clone 100 of those licenses to conduct gambling activities on their premises.
“As such, we are against the issuance of the licenses for fear that it will be misused by syndicates to operate gambling centres.
“Based on our record, a total of 224 premises were issued with licenses by the local authorities last year, and their licenses expired last December.
“For now, only seven licenses have been renewed but we found them to be non-operational. We do not support the issuance and renewal of such licenses,” he said when met after an “Akujanji” signing ceremony together five district police officers to fight online gambling activities in the state here today.
Roslee said from January to July this year, police conducted 23 raids and seized 91 gambling machines.
“Four of the premises involved family entertainment centres, while 19 others involve online gambling using cell phones and tabs.
“Of the total, nine cases have been charged in court while the rest are pending investigations,” he said.