14 fined over online gambling call centre in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Authorities reinforce crackdown after court imposes US$ 3,500 in total fines on workers involved in promoting betting platforms.

Malaysia.- A Magistrate’s Court in Kota Kinabalu has fined 14 people a total of MYR14,000 (US$3,500) after they pleaded guilty to participating in an illegal online gambling call centre operation. Each defendant was ordered to pay MYR1,000 (US$250) or face one month in jail.

The group was charged under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 for gambling in a public place following a police raid at an employment agency located in Wisma Merdeka on December 2 2025. According to prosecutors, police found the 14 individuals stationed at computers, working as customer service operators and promoters for online gambling platforms via messaging services such as Google Chat and BoChat.

Seized devices were confirmed to have been used for managing user accounts, processing bets and handling payouts. Defence counsel Luke Ressa Balang, representing all 14 accused, argued for leniency, as they were first-time offenders and cooperated with authorities. However, the prosecution pushed for a deterrent penalty, citing the growing prevalence of such operations and their wider social impact.

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Authorities reinforce crackdown after court imposes US$ 3,500 in total fines on workers involved in promoting betting platforms. Malaysia.- A Magistrate’s Court in Kota Kinabalu has fined 14 people a total of MYR14,000 (US$3,500) after they pleaded guilty to participating in an illegal online gambling call centre operation. Each defendant was ordered to pay MYR1,000…