KUCHING: A 19-year-old man was ordered by the Magistrate’s Court here today to be placed on a one-year good behaviour bond with a surety of RM500, with his mother acting as guarantor, for openly engaging in online gambling using his mobile phone.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali made the order after considering a social report prepared by the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The accused pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 7(2) of the Open House Gambling Act 1953 for gambling openly in a public place.
Under the section, the offence carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both, upon conviction.
According to the charge, the offence was committed at a 24-hour convenience store along Jalan Sultan Tengah at 8.23 pm on September 16, 2025.
Based on the facts of the case, a police team conducted a raid at the premises on the day of the incident and detained the accused, who was found sitting in front of the shop while gambling on his mobile phone.
Police also seized items belonging to the accused, including a mobile phone and RM50 in cash.
Investigations later confirmed, through a gambling expert’s report, that the mobile phone seized was used for gambling activities.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Chuah Kai Sheng, while the accused was unrepresented.
