Key Takeaways

  • Malaysia’s MCMC removed 724,879 gambling-related items between January 2025 and October 2026, representing 98% of submitted takedown requests.
  • Authorities also blocked 2,603 websites linked to online gambling during the same period.
  • A proposal involving MCMC, Bank Negara Malaysia and local banks to monitor gambling-related financial transactions is under review.
  • Police remain responsible for arrests and asset seizures, while MCMC provides technical and investigative support.

Malaysia’s communications regulator has removed 724,879 pieces of online gambling content and blocked access to 2,603 websites since January 2025. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching shared the figures in Parliament on November 3, saying the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had acted on around 98% of the takedown requests it received during the period. The government is also looking at ways to involve banks in efforts to tackle illegal gambling. A proposal bringing together MCMC, Bank Negara Malaysia and local financial institutions to monitor suspicious accounts and transactions is currently being studied.

MCMC Removes 724,879 Gambling-Related Items And Blocks 2,603 Websites

MCMC received 738,372 requests to remove online gambling content between January 1, 2025 and October 31, 2026. It managed to take down 724,879 of those items, according to Teo’s parliamentary statement. Authorities also blocked 2,603 websites linked to gambling during those 22 months. Lawmakers had asked about the regulator’s efforts to identify online gambling operations, locate their servers and prevent users from accessing their websites. Teo also shared figures for the first seven months of 2026, when MCMC removed 253,424 gambling-related items and blocked 573 websites.

The regulator works with internet service providers to identify gambling websites and content before arranging for them to be taken down or blocked. It also helps police with investigations by sharing information and providing technical assistance, including digital forensic analysis.

Gambling advertisements on social media have also drawn attention from the government. In February 2026, Teo called on digital platforms to do more to screen sponsored posts promoting gambling and fraud. A separate Bernama report noted that MCMC had already removed 15,519 pieces of online gambling content in the first 15 days of that year.

Malaysia Studies Stronger Financial Monitoring Of Online Gambling Operations

During the parliamentary session, lawmaker Roy Angau Gingkoi raised the possibility of introducing a stricter mechanism to identify and block bank accounts and financial transactions connected to illegal gambling operations. In response, Teo said a proposal involving MCMC, Bank Negara Malaysia, banking institutions and enforcement agencies was being studied.

The discussion comes as MCMC continues to address gambling promotions distributed through online platforms and mobile networks. In February, Teo also raised concerns about sponsored gambling advertisements reaching users before platforms removed them following complaints.

Another area of concern involves Fake Base Transceiver Station equipment, commonly known as Fake BTS devices. These devices can imitate legitimate mobile network infrastructure and send large volumes of text messages, including messages containing links to illegal activities. MCMC is working with PDRM and service providers through Op Pancing and Op Delusi to address the misuse of this equipment.

The operations form part of wider efforts to prevent illegal links and promotional messages from reaching mobile users. The latest figures show the scale of Malaysia’s online gambling content removal and website blocking efforts, but the proposed financial measures remain at an earlier stage. For now, the government has not confirmed whether discussions with Bank Negara Malaysia and local banks will lead to a formal system for restricting gambling-related transactions.

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