MIRI: Authorities in Sarawak are stepping up efforts to dismantle illegal online gambling networks, turning to infrastructure disruption as a frontline enforcement tool.
In Miri, police have cut the power supply to nine premises identified as operational hubs for illicit betting activities, in a two-day operation conducted on Mar 16 and 17.
The raid led by the Criminal Investigation Department with support from Sarawak Energy Berhad, was carrie out under Section 21A(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which allows authorities to sever utility access to premises linked to illegal gambling.
The approach reflects a strategic pivot. Rather than relying solely on raids and arrests, enforcement agencies are increasingly targeting the operational backbone of gambling syndicates, many of which run digital platforms supported by decentralised physical sites.
The police said such premises are typically embedded within ordinary commercial settings, masking networks of computers and communication systems used to manage betting transactions.
By cutting power, authorities can impose immediate operational paralysis, limiting the ability of syndicates to relocate or resume activity quickly.
The move comes amid signs that operators are adapting to traditional enforcement methods, shifting locations and fragmenting their operations to avoid detection.
Police have indicated that similar operations will be rolled out, signalling a sustained campaign aimed at raising the cost of doing business for illegal operators.
