Sarawak illegal gambling operators resort to 'reload service'

MIRI: Illegal cyber gambling operators in Sarawak have changed their tactics to avoid detection by police.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar said the gambling criminals' latest strategy was to provide online reload service.
"Ever since the closure of cyber gambling outlets in the state, operators continue to feed the gambling addiction by providing reload services and online transactions to gamblers, using mobile phones," he said in a statement here today.
He said after reloading their tablets or phones, the gamblers were able to gamble anywhere such as in coffee shops or their homes.
As for illegal 4D, he said countless weekly raids had reduced the activities but operators were still at work on the sly.
"The CID has been taking a tougher approach by detaining and remanding illegal 4D operators with the hope of discouraging them from reopening their counters," he said.
He said Sarawak police had also successfully curbed slot machine gambling in the state following the closure of recreational clubs and family entertainment centres which had been used as a front.
"We are confident that we have seen the end of these gambling machines in Sarawak," he said, adding, the local authorities had either revoked or not renewed the licences for such clubs or centres.
"Kota Samarahan Municipal Council has not renewed the licences issued to 18 operators while Padawan Municipal Council has cancelled four.
"Twelve licences are still valid in Kuching City, Serian, Miri City and Limbang until the end of the year but the centres are no longer operating," he noted.
Meanwhile, he said, 96 suspects aged between 17 and 67 years including 10 foreigners were arrested under the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and Immigration Act at 78 in raids conducted from Sept 25 to Oct 1 in the state. — Bernama