MIRI: A local man and two women have been fined by the Magistrates’ Court here after pleading guilty to separate offences involving illegal gambling activities, including online football betting linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the sale of online gambling credit.
The three cases were the result of separate police operations conducted in June under Op SOGA, an ongoing enforcement initiative targeting illegal gambling activities in the district.
A 31-year-old local man was fined RM3,000, or three months’ imprisonment in default, after admitting to operating an illegal football betting activity through his mobile phone.
He was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
According to the prosecution, the offence took place at about 10pm on Jun 20 when a police team conducting intelligence-led Op SOGA operations inspected the suspect outside a 24-hour convenience store along Jalan Dato Muip at Bulatan Commercial Centre.
Officers found that an application used for betting on FIFA World Cup 2026 football matches was active on his Oppo mobile phone.
Police subsequently arrested the man and seized the mobile phone along with RM104 in cash believed to be connected to the offence.
In a separate case, a 32-year-old woman pleaded guilty to selling online gambling top-up credits, commonly known as JOL.
She was fined RM1,700, or two weeks’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
The woman was arrested on Jun 17 at a business premises along Jalan Pujut 7C. Police seized a mobile phone and RM60 in cash during the operation.
She was charged under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Meanwhile, another local woman, aged 30, was also fined RM3,000, or three months’ imprisonment in default, after pleading guilty to the same offence.
She was arrested on Jun 16 at a premises along Jalan Pinang Riam for operating an online gambling top-up service. She was likewise charged under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the district police remained committed to combating all forms of illegal gambling and would continue to intensify enforcement under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
He urged members of the public to report any information relating to illegal gambling activities to the Miri District Police Headquarters or the nearest police station.
“The cooperation of the public is vital in ensuring that illegal gambling activities are curbed and the rule of law is upheld,” he said.
