KUCHING: A 33-year-old man was fined RM2,000, in default two months imprisonment, by the Magistrate’s Court here today for receiving and managing football bets involving a FIFA World Cup 2026 match.
Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the fine on Armannizam Sapiee after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The accused was charged under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953.
The court heard that the offence came to light during ‘Ops Soga XI’ on July 19, when police from the Kuching District Police Headquarters raided a cafe at Queens Court, Jalan Wan Alwi, at about 10:45 pm.
During the operations, police arrested Armannizam and seized a Redmi smartphone and RM200 cash comprising two RM100 notes.
The seized items were subsequently submitted to a police-appointed gambling expert for analysis and examination.
Investigation found that the smartphone had an application displaying the FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule, including the Argentina versus Spain match scheduled for July 20 at 3:00 am, betting odds, betting records, and proof of customers’ payments for football bets.
The phone also contained displays of betting odds and possible match results, which the gambling expert identified as features commonly associated with sports betting activities.
The RM200 cash was also identified as betting money seized from the accused during the operations.
The gambling expert concluded that the seized items contained characteristics and elements indicating involvement in football betting and supported the commission of an offence under the Betting Act 1953.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly. Armannizam was unrepresented.
