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THE Ministry of Finance (MOF) has rejected claims that the MADANI Government has relaxed controls on licensed gambling in Kedah, stressing that it has neither issued new gambling licences nor increased the number of gambling outlets since taking office.
Responding to remarks by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over gambling licences in the state, the ministry said the comments were misleading and could create the impression that the Federal Government had expanded licensed gambling activities.
It said no proposal or decision had been made during the 2020-2022 Federal Government administration, which included PAS, to ban licensed gambling nationwide or abolish existing licences.
The ministry said records showed that the Pakatan Harapan-led Federal Government had in 2020 decided to reduce the number of special draws from 22 to eight a year.
However, the subsequent Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional-led Federal Government restored the frequency to 22 special draws annually.
When the MADANI Government assumed federal power at the end of 2022, one of its earliest decisions was to reverse that increase, reducing the number of special draws from 22 to eight a year with effect from January 2023, MOF explained in a statement on Thursday.
The ministry stressed that the MADANI Government had never issued any new gambling licences or permits, nor increased the number of gambling outlets.
“The total number of licences and permits in force remains based on existing licence approvals dating back to the 1990s,” it said.
The ministry added that strict conditions had been imposed on licence holders as part of measures to regulate the industry.
“The MADANI Government continues to take a firm and responsible approach by limiting licensed gambling activities, ensuring strict regulation and intensifying enforcement against unlicensed and online gambling,” MOF added.
The clarification comes amid renewed tensions between the Federal and Kedah governments over the regulation of licensed gambling activities in the PAS-led state. - August 27, 2026
