Consumer advocates and legal professionals in Malaysia are expressing growing concern over the rise of online gambling-related content across social media platforms, warning that influencers promoting betting services may face serious legal penalties under current legislation.
The concerns emerge as authorities step up monitoring of gambling advertisements circulating on mainstream digital channels, especially content targeting younger audiences through entertainment-style clips and “quick money” narratives.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said influencers who take part in promoting online gambling platforms could be seen as “direct participants” in illegal gambling operations.
“Influencers possess significant social influence; turning that influence into a tool that encourages addiction is both an ethical breach and a potential legal liability,” she said.
Indrani added that many creators may not fully understand the legal risks associated with sponsorship deals involving gambling-related promotions.
She also noted that gambling content is no longer confined to obscure corners of the internet but is now widely visible on mainstream social media feeds.
Concerns Grow Over Youth Exposure
According to Indrani, gambling promotions are increasingly being embedded within gaming videos, entertainment content, and online “easy income” schemes. She warned that repeated exposure to such material may negatively influence young users and individuals with limited financial awareness.
“This content is particularly harmful to younger audiences who may not yet understand financial risks,” she said.
“Continuous exposure can normalize gambling behavior among minors and vulnerable groups.”
Malaysia continues to enforce strict gambling regulations under laws such as the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and the Betting Act 1953. However, consumer organizations and legal experts argue these regulations were designed long before the rise of social media and online gambling ecosystems.
Indrani further noted that enforcement agencies increasingly rely on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 when addressing online gambling promotions and digital content violations.
She welcomed ongoing discussions about introducing updated and more comprehensive legislation to tackle cyber-based gambling activities and existing enforcement gaps.
“Social media companies should take stronger responsibility in removing gambling-related content instead of relying only on user reports and takedown requests,” she said.
Indrani emphasized that online gambling should be treated not only as a legal issue but also as a broader consumer protection and social concern, urging parents and the public to stay alert to its growing presence online.
Lawyers Call for Updated Legislation
Lawyer Joshua Kong stated that clearer and more modern legal frameworks are needed to effectively regulate online gambling promotions and digital advertising practices.
“Stronger and clearer laws against online gambling and its promotion would provide authorities with better enforcement tools,” he said.
Kong argued that regulators and courts are currently challenged by the application of outdated laws to modern internet-based gambling operations.
“If 1953-era laws are used to address 2026 digital crimes, offenders may escape proper accountability,” he added.
The remarks come as Malaysia intensifies enforcement actions targeting gambling-related content on digital platforms.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching recently discussed the issue in a Facebook video addressing the legal implications of online gambling promotions.
In the clip, Teo referenced provisions under the Common Gaming Houses Act that prohibit not only gambling activities but also the promotion or facilitation of gambling behavior.
“Anyone who promotes or encourages gambling activities may be committing an offense,” she said, according to The Star.
Authorities Increase Monitoring Efforts
Teo also highlighted recent enforcement operations involving influencers linked to gambling-related online content, noting strengthened cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police to remove such material from digital platforms.
“Fighting online gambling requires collective effort,” she said.
“We encourage social media platforms to improve monitoring systems to prevent the spread of gambling-related content online.”
Authorities and consumer groups continue to call for stricter oversight of gambling advertising as concerns grow over its visibility on platforms heavily used by younger audiences.
The issue has also intensified discussions about whether Malaysia’s current legal framework is sufficient to address modern online gambling promotion, particularly in cases involving influencers and digital sponsorship deals.
