Casino News: Illegal Gambling Crackdown Continues in Asia

The government continues its war against online gambling in Malaysia and the Philippines. According to recent reports, police have been seriously cracking down -- more than 4000 computers have been seized, and 800 people arrested.

Compared with figures from 2010, this represents a significant jump. In 2010, 700 men and women were arrested, and less than 2500 computers quarantined.

It is thought that most of the arrestees are repeat offenders. In Asia, any type of online gambling is seen as illegal, and represents an exceptionally serious offence. Despite the government trying to curb it as quickly as possible, and tough penalties for anyone convicted, it is reckoned that around 50 locations have been used to run such illegal gambling operations. It is not known whether the arrested individuals are being treated as those with gambling problems.

Internet cafes are a hotbed of illegal online gambling in these countries, and police regularly monitor cafes where such activity is suspected. If they find anybody playing at an illegal online casino, the player, along with the owner of the cafe can be prosecuted. Those arrested are so under the 1953 Common Gaming House Act, and 1997 Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act.

Asian police take a tough stance against traditional gambling too -- citizens have been arrested for running illegal gambling dens. Such gambling parties are operated by local organised crime gangs, with profits used to fund drug running, people smuggling, and buying of weapons.