KUALA LUMPUR: No new gambling licences are being issued, with the government only regulating existing licensed operations, says the Finance Ministry.
The ministry said any change to the licensing policy must weigh constitutional jurisdiction and the risk of more illegal gambling.
"Any change in licensing policy needs to take into account jurisdiction under the Federal Constitution and the risk of an increase in unlicensed activity (black market)," it said in a written parliamentary reply on Thursday (Oct 8).
It said the government would keep assessing the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework and work with enforcement agencies to ensure licensed gambling operated within the law.
It was replying to Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun), who asked whether the government planned to abolish or limit gambling licences so that local authorities could enforce bans on gambling premises.
