THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it blocked 6,381 online gambling websites from 2020 until the end of 2022 upon official request from the police force (PDRM).

It said 212,399 telephone lines, including mobile and fixed lines, that sent dubious spam text messages to promote online gambling, unlicensed loans and others, were terminated during that period.

“Following a consumer association’s request for online gambling platforms to be regulated, MCMC is committed to supporting PDRM’s enforcement actions to crack down on online gambling activities that are subject to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (Act 289).

“PDRM carries out enforcement while the MCMC’s role is to provide technical assistance, including the provision of information and the blocking of gambling websites based on requests from police,” the MCMC said in a statement today.

According to the MCMC, in addition to enforcement actions (prosecution or sanctions), self-awareness, education and self-control are vital to efforts to combat online gambling.

He said users can play a role in blocking online gambling promotion activities by reporting them to the MCMC so online cancellation can be carried out with the cooperation of telecommunications service providers.

“If users receive gambling advertisements through short messaging applications such as WhatsApp and social media like Facebook, report the number or social media account to the application service or social media platform providers so that the number or account cannot send online gambling promotional advertisements to other users,” he said. – Bernama, February 5, 2023.