PETALING JAYA: With football fever surging to an all time-high, illegal betting is also on the rise, prompting police to step up enforcement efforts.
So far, police have cracked down on gambling syndicates nationwide under Ops Soga XI, arresting 331 individuals and uncovering bets worth more than RM2.62mil.
Of those arrested, 234 were Malaysians while 97 were foreigners during the nationwide operation, which ran from June 11 to 19 to curb unlicensed sports betting and online gambling throughout the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 period.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said 293 raids had been carried out so far, leading to the arrest of 312 men and 19 women, believed to be involved in illegal betting and online gambling activities.
“We also seized RM145,005.09 in cash and detected bets amounting to RM2,625,529.46 during the operation,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Comm Kumar said police also detected 185 online platforms, including websites, applications and social media accounts, used to facilitate football betting and promote illegal gambling activities.
He added that action to block the websites and remove the online content would be carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“All those arrested have been taken to the respective district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation under the Betting Act 1953 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“In addition, investigations are also being conducted under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.”
Comm Kumar said Bukit Aman would continue to intensify enforcement operations while strengthening strategic cooperation with relevant agencies to combat illegal gambling activities.
