99% of gambling activities in Penang eradicated: Chuah

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang police have successfully eradicated 99% of illegal gambling activities in the state through various operations carried out earlier this year.
Penang Police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye said since March, two special operations had been implemented to curb online gambling and gambling machines, and as a result, 215 raids were successfully carried out.
He said that from January till date, the police had arrested 268 staff of gambling outlets and 384 gamblers, as well as seized 448 simulators, slot machines (633), computers (119), tablets (19) and four mobile phones believed to be used for gambling.
"The police also detected a new gambling activity tactic, which is done using tablets, and carried out in remote areas such as at the edge of the jungle to avoid being detected by authorities," he told reporters after the Gambling Activity Monitoring Meeting with local authorities and operators of family entertainment centres.
He said raids on premises carrying out illegal gambling activities were intensified after receiving a directive from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who wanted gambling in Penang to be eradicated.
Meanwhile, Chuah said in today's meeting, the police and local authorities had agreed to intensify joint-operations and conduct surprise raids at entertainment outlets to ensure they complied with the regulations.
"There is no compromise for entertainment outlets running illegal gambling activities, even if there is one gambling machine found on their premises, we will recommend the local authorities to withdraw their operating licences," he said.
He said so far, 62 such recommendations were sent to the local authorities.
In addition, he said electricity supply to these premises would also be cut-off if they refused to comply with the directive of the local authorities. — Bernama