Malaysian influencers may face legal heat over gambling ads
Consumer groups in Malaysia have warned social media influencers against promoting online gambling platforms, as authorities grow increasingly concerned about betting-related content reaching younger audiences online.
The warnings come as a crackdown on illegal online gambling promotions across Malaysia continues, with regulators telling influencers that they are being used to normalise betting on mainstream social media platforms.
Officials argue that many creators may not fully understand the legal consequences of accepting sponsorship deals linked to gambling operators. However, authorities insist that ignorance will not protect influencers from potential criminal liability.
Reportedly, Indrani Thuraisingham, the vice-president of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, issued a warning that influencers risk becoming “active accomplices” to organised gambling syndicates if they continue promoting betting services online. She said content creators hold a major influence over younger audiences and online communities, making the issue particularly serious.
To protect young audience
According to Indrani, gambling promotions are no longer confined to hidden websites or niche internet forums. Instead, gambling-related material is increasingly appearing openly on major social media platforms, often disguised as gaming content, entertainment videos or so-called “easy money” opportunities.
Consumer advocates fear repeated exposure could gradually normalise gambling behaviour among minors and financially vulnerable users. Malaysia already has strict gambling laws under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and the Betting Act 1953. However, legal experts say those laws were written decades before the rise of social media, digital advertising and online betting platforms.
As a result, regulators have increasingly relied on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to pursue cases involving online gambling promotions. Legal experts, however, warn that criminals may continue exploiting loopholes created by laws drafted more than 70 years ago, leaving authorities trying to police modern cybercrime with legislation designed for a completely different era.
New laws under consideration
Malaysian officials are now chalking out new laws specifically targeting online gambling activity that may be needed. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching recently warned that promoting gambling services online could already violate existing laws. She pointed to legal provisions banning both gambling activities and the promotion of gambling-related services.
In a Facebook video addressing the issue, she warned that encouraging people to gamble online could itself amount to a criminal offence. Authorities have already taken action against several influencers accused of promoting illegal gambling websites.
In June 2024, Malaysian police arrested 27 social media influencers over allegations linked to online gambling promotions. The following month, five influencers were formally charged in court.
Among the names publicly reported in connection with the cases were Aileen Koh Ooi Leng, Hayatunnuffus Zakariya, Nurul Syifa Aliya Adanan, Nurazalina Mustafa and Noor Shahnez Marzuani.
Seeking more co-operation
Enforcement efforts have continued into 2026, with authorities and consumer groups again warning that influencers promoting gambling content could face criminal prosecution.
Cooperation between Malaysian police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has also intensified in recent months, with regulators stepping up efforts to remove gambling-related posts, advertisements and videos from online platforms.
Officials say tackling online gambling will require cooperation between regulators, social media companies, influencers and the public, as concerns continue growing over the visibility of gambling content online.
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