Finance Ministry Rebuts Claims of Gambling Licence Expansion Under Madani Government
TL;DR — Malaysia’s Finance Ministry denied that the Madani government issued any new gambling licences, calling Kedah leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s remarks misleading. Licence counts remain tied to 1990s approvals, while special lottery draws were cut to eight per year effective January 2023. The statement stresses ongoing strict regulation and enforcement.
SCCG Take — The rebuttal provides regulatory clarity that federal limits on gambling remain unchanged, urging operators to focus on compliance within the established 1990s framework rather than anticipating expansion.
Malaysia’s Finance Ministry has stated that the Madani government issued no new gambling licences or permits and did not increase the number of gambling premises. The statement directly rejects recent remarks by Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, head of government for the Malaysian state of Kedah.
The ministry described Sanusi’s remarks as misleading. It warned that they could create the impression the federal government was not controlling gambling activities or had approved new licences for additional premises in Kedah.
Adherence to Longstanding Licensing Limits
The ministry confirmed that the number of licences and permits currently in force remains based on existing approvals issued since the 1990s. It has imposed strict conditions on licence holders as a control measure. The Madani government, which took federal administration in late 2022, continues to limit licensed gambling activities, maintain strict regulation, and step up enforcement against unlicensed and online gambling.
Policy Shifts in Special Lottery Draws
The ministry outlined changes in special lottery draw frequency across administrations. The Pakatan Harapan government reduced draws to eight a year from 22 in 2020. Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional later restored the frequency to 22 times a year that same year. One of the Madani government’s first decisions was to reduce it back to eight times a year, effective January 2023.
This clarification, according to reporting by Yogonet International, reinforces the current administration’s restrictive stance. Operators and state officials now have explicit confirmation that federal policy has not shifted toward expansion, with emphasis placed on enforcement and compliance under existing approvals.
Reporting: Yogonet International
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Malaysia's regulatory stance is clear: no expansion, strict enforcement, and operators must work within 1990s-era licence limits.
We track every regulated market globally, and Malaysia just drew a bright line: the status quo holds. For operators eyeing Southeast Asia, this kills expansion speculation and refocuses attention on compliance and state-level enforcement risk. SCCG clients need to know where not to chase opportunity.
- No new gambling licences issued under Madani government; all approvals date to 1990s
- Special lottery draws cut from 22 to eight per year, effective January 2023
- Ministry stresses strict regulation and crackdown on unlicensed and online gambling
SCCG angle: SCCG helps clients navigate Asia-Pacific's patchwork of restrictions with on-the-ground intelligence and regulatory contacts across 545 partners in every regulated market. When a door closes in Malaysia, we know which markets are opening and how to position you there.
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