Malaysia Targets Gambling Promotions on Social Media

Consumer advocates and legal experts in Malaysia are raising concerns over the growing presence of online gambling content on social media, warning that influencers who promote betting platforms could face criminal consequences under existing laws.

The warnings come as authorities increase scrutiny of gambling-related promotions appearing on mainstream digital platforms, particularly content aimed at younger audiences through entertainment-style videos and “easy money” messaging.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said influencers who advertise online gambling services risk becoming “active accomplices” to illegal gambling syndicates.

“Influencers hold immense social capital; using that capital to monetise addiction is an ethical failure and a legal ticking time bomb,” she said.

Indrani stated that many content creators may not fully understand the potential legal exposure linked to accepting sponsorship agreements involving gambling promotions.

She also warned that gambling-related content has moved far beyond hidden corners of the internet and is now regularly appearing in mainstream social media feeds.

Concerns Grow Over Youth Exposure

According to Indrani, gambling promotions are increasingly disguised as gaming content, entertainment clips, or opportunities to make quick money online. She said repeated exposure to this material could affect younger users and vulnerable groups who may lack financial literacy.

“This is highly predatory toward young users who may lack financial literacy,” she said.

“Repeated exposure could normalise gambling behaviour among minors and vulnerable users.”

Malaysia continues to enforce strict gambling controls under laws including the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Betting Act 1953. However, both consumer groups and legal observers say those laws were created long before social media and online gambling platforms became widespread.

Indrani noted that authorities have increasingly relied on provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 when dealing with digital gambling promotions and online content.

She also welcomed ongoing discussions around introducing a more comprehensive anti-online gambling law designed to address cyber-enabled gambling activities and gaps in enforcement.

“Social media platforms should take more proactive steps to curb gambling-related content instead of relying solely on public complaints and post removals,” she said.

Indrani added that online gambling should now be viewed as more than a legal issue, describing it as a wider consumer protection and social concern. She also urged parents and the public to remain vigilant as gambling-related content spreads more widely online.

Lawyers Call for Updated Legislation

Lawyer Joshua Kong said authorities would benefit from clearer and more modern legislation specifically addressing online gambling promotions and digital advertising practices.

“Clear laws to prohibit online gambling and the advertisement of online gambling will allow the authorities to have more tools to stop these activities,” he said.

Kong argued that regulators and courts currently face difficulties applying decades-old legislation to modern internet-based gambling operations.

“If we use 1953 laws to police 2026 crimes, criminals may end up getting away with their crimes,” he added.

The comments come as enforcement efforts involving gambling-related online content continue to increase in Malaysia.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching recently addressed the issue in a Facebook reel discussing the legal position surrounding online gambling promotions.

In the video, Teo referred to provisions under the Common Gaming Houses Act that prohibit not only gambling itself, but also activities connected to promoting or encouraging gambling participation.

“If you publicise or promote a gambling place or in any way encourage people to gamble, then you could have committed an offense,” she said, according to The Star.

Authorities Increase Monitoring Efforts

Teo also referenced recent enforcement actions involving influencers connected to gambling-related content online. She said authorities had strengthened cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police in efforts to remove such material from digital platforms.

“Combating online gambling is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

“We hope social media platforms will strengthen their monitoring to prevent gambling content from spreading widely online.”

Authorities and consumer groups continue to push for tighter monitoring of gambling-related advertising online as concerns grow over the visibility of betting promotions on major social media platforms used by younger audiences.

The issue has also increased debate around whether Malaysia’s current legal framework is equipped to address modern forms of online gambling promotion, particularly those involving influencers and digital sponsorship arrangements.