Petaling Jaya: By the second quarter of 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is expected to launch operations against social media influencers promoting illegal online gambling.
the spokesperson said. Sun MCMC is monitoring the situation and will work with the police and social media platforms to address the issue.
“We are finalizing takedown procedures with major social media platforms and plan to take concrete steps to apprehend the culprits by the second quarter of 2024 at the latest.”
He was responding to concerns raised by X over allegations that a 19-year-old influencer who showed off her newly purchased luxury car was involved in gambling activities.
It was later discovered that she and several other influencers were promoting online gambling using several “gaming” apps.
“Online gambling apps are often glossed over as 'money-making games', but they are becoming more popular as social media influencers showcase their earnings,” the spokesperson said.
“These influencers promote their apps to attract unsuspecting users with the promise of doubling or tripling their revenue.”
He stressed that MCMC is committed to exploring cooperation to improve the process of detecting, reporting and removing online gambling content promoted by influencers.
“Online gambling is strictly prohibited under the General Gambling Act 1953, which is enforced by the police.
“MCMC has a zero-tolerance stance against any form of online gambling promotion and is actively cooperating with law enforcement to combat this illegal activity.”
The spokesperson also said that MCMC has been assisting police in blocking more than 1,300 online gambling websites every year since 2018.
“We take a proactive approach to monitoring online spaces, including social media, and are currently identifying social media influencers who are promoting online gambling.
“In addition to blocking websites, we have removed numerous social media accounts and suspended 523,331 phone lines associated with the facilitation of online gambling and other crimes such as unauthorized loans.”
The spokesperson said it is difficult to quantify the number of social media influencers promoting online gambling due to the dynamic nature of cyberspace.
“We have also seen cases of people impersonating social media influencers without their permission.
“However, our recent tracking shows that there are significant numbers of individuals engaging in this harmful behavior on social media platforms, which requires our action.”
A 2022 study by HypeAuditor found that social media posts by influencers promoting online gambling had an engagement rate of 5.7%, compared to an average of 3.5% for posts about other subjects, the spokesperson added. .
“This is a 60% increase in engagement, suggesting that the general public, especially young people, are more impressed by social media influencers and potentially more susceptible to gambling.”
A spokesperson said existing regulations were being reviewed and evaluated to update them, adding that the measures would better address evolving tactics used by illegal gambling operators and influencers. .
“We are also launching a national awareness campaign about the dangers of online gambling, driven by influencers.
“Potential victims and influencers themselves will be targeted.”
According to Section 6(1) of the General Gambling Venues Act 1953, engaging in “gambling” within a public gambling hall is a crime, and offenders can be fined up to RM5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months. You can Or a combination of both.
In Article 2, “gaming” is defined inclusively as the playing of any game involving chance or a combination of chance and skill for money or the value of money.
In 2020, fines for illegal gamblers and gambling operators were increased 20 times from RM5,000 to RM100,000, with a minimum jail term of six months.
