Malaysian officials are set for firm discussions with Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to debate the large rise in illegal gambling related ads on the platform. This is set for 22nd September.
The key concern that Fahmi Fadzil stresses is Facebook allowing ads paid with credit cards even when the content is illegal in Malaysia. The vast majority of content removed from the platform us gambling related. The government wants dialogue not punishment and although it will not ban Facebook it wants to stop criminals abusing it.
As many know 65% of Malaysians are Muslim and the leisure activity is prohibited in Islam so legal gambling is limited to mainly accommodate tourists so the options are limited to Resorts World Genting Casino, lotteries and horse racing. Despite the restrictions, illegal gambling is much more profitable than legal operating platforms. In 2018 illegal lotteries made a staggering 60% more revenue than licensed ones.
Online gambling otherwise known as iGaming is growing extremely quickly due to smart phones, fast internet and the demand for sports betting. The Malaysian population likes Badminton and English football. The Meta platform did update its gambling adverts policy in July of this year which only allowed ads in places where gambling is licensed but the platform is not taking responsibility for ensuring the ads follow local laws. The government’s commercial gambling management commission is also cracking down on the gambling ads.
The Malaysian border plan is to make the internet a safer place for vulnerable people especially children. The Safe Internet campaign has already reached 2600 schools and hopes to increase that to 10,000 by 2026.