Gaming outlets close doors in Kedah as state directive comes into effect on Jan 1

A man reading the closure notice displayed at one of the outlets in Kompleks Tunku Abdul Halim, Jalan Tunku Abdul Halim, Alor Setar. - Photo: GC TAN / The Star

ALOR SETAR: All gaming outlets in Kedah ceased operations starting Sunday (Jan 1), as directed by the state.

Checks around the city showed that the premises had all closed with some attaching a notice on their doors informing customers of their closure to comply with the state government's directive.

Operators of the premises are keeping mum over the matter and will await further instructions from the respective companies.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had earlier said that the state government decided not to renew the licenses of gaming outlets starting this year.

"All gambling premises and lottery ticket outlets in Kedah will cease operations by midnight of Sunday (Dec 31). The state has decided not to renew gaming licences starting Jan 1, 2023," he said in a Facebook post.

He added that all local authorities have been instructed to monitor compliance with the directive. He added that the decision not to renew licences had been made in November 2021

On Nov 14, 2021, Sanusi announced that the state would not be issuing new licences or renewing licences for gaming businesses after they expired on Dec 31, 2022.