ALOR STAR: As directed by the state government, all gaming and lottery ticket outlets in Kedah have ceased their operations starting today.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that all local government divisions had been instructed to ensure that all of the outlets complied to the directive.
"All local government divisions have been instructed to check if there outlets which are still operating. You'll never know if any of them are still operating.
"All of their licences have expired by Dec 31," he briefly said when contacted.
Meanwhile, checks around Alor Star found that all gaming or lottery ticket outlets were closed and had a notice attached to the front door of their respective premises.
A 4D Sports Toto lottery number agency outlet in Jalan Sultanah Badlishah here had a closure notice that stated the outlet would cease operations from Jan 1 in compliance with the directive from the state government.
The notice also stated an apology for the inconvenience caused to all of its customers along with the outlet's operator contact information.
The manager of the outlet, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that all gaming or betting-related businesses in the state had been shut down by the state government.
"Everywhere in Kedah, not just in Alor Star, every 4D Sports Toto outlet in the whole state is closed from today.
"I also understood that other gaming or betting companies have already shut down their businesses here in the state. You can't find any operating any more."
When asked to elaborate further on the issue, he said his company directed all of its outlet operators to remain quiet until further notice.
Other gaming and lottery outlet operators have also insisted in remaining silent over the matter as instructed by their companies.
On Nov 14, Sanusi announced the state government's decision to neither approve new gaming licences nor renew existing licences once they expire on Dec 31.
He had also announced that the state government would impose stricter regulations for liquor sales in areas with low market demand.
He stressed that the decision was made with the intention to stem negative activities that could lead to social degradation and had nothing to do with racial, religious or political issues.