Penang and Selangor Ban Sport Bettings Locally

Penang and Selangor state government had issued statement respectively that although the Federal Government (Barisan Nasional) had issued football betting licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, which  owned by Berjaya Group Vincent Tan, the state government, via local authorities has the power to stop it. Thus, no premises in the state will be allowed to operate such betting centre. 

The Pakatan Rakyat had earlier stated that the Pakatan Rakyat led states will not allowed those bettings as issuing such a licence would not eradicate illegal gambling but would aggravate social problems as the poor would gamble away their hard earned wages. 

A country if is too conservative and are not open their mind will definitely cannot cope and compete with the global world. Football betting is a trend. This will still going on even without the approval as it will still run by those illegals. Why not take the chance to let the government to make profits (tax) and regulate the rules. Rather than letting it getting worse and those illegal bookies making huge profit and their own ways. Even Singapore had such football betting in the 1990s before it finally approve the casino while Malaysia has it own casino in earlier. As WE ALL KNOW footballs betting can be done even at home (as long as u have a computer and internet connection, thats it). Come on. The bettings will still be running by those illegals even no approvals was given. Why not regulate it and collect taxes?

Malaysia Sports Betting License Issued to Vincent Tan

The football betting licenses were issued to Berjaya Group boss, Vincent Tan, Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd company. The sports betting licenses was granted in  the year of 1987 and stopped in 1990, and further reissued in 2003 but were taken back again after a year. This licenses included with several conditions. Ascot Sports can only operate in only 200 of the 680 Sport Toto outlets in non-Muslim areas in major towns and online betting are banned. But telephone betting may provided to those who registered. these outlets would also be required to put up notices that only adult non-Muslims would be allowed to place bets. As for now, the gainers from sports or football betting are the illegal bookies. The unofficial estimates that Malaysians place RM20bil in bets a year with local illegal and offshore bookmakers.

Sports Bettings Could Granted License

The sports betting or gambling may be legalise in Malaysia as the government may regulate and legalise it. This was due to the near term of FIFA World Cup 2010. However, the Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Awang Adek did not says when a decision would be made.  The Government was also aware that so hundred millions and billions of money was involved and the Government can gain from it and use the revenue to develop sports. Dr Awang Adek said it would benefit everybody if the tax revenue was used for sports development. Since the illegal bookies will still continue their activities. So, rather  leave them to do it unregulated on their own, the Government should try to regulate it in a manner in which it is controlled. In conclusion, I think there will be a outcome soon after the further discussion by the Government since the football match are starting soon.