Is there an online gambling bill in Parliament?
We found no evidence of one. Free Malaysia Today’s report of 15 February 2026 had Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof saying that an online gambling law was in drafting, with tabling possible at the next Dewan Rakyat sitting1. We found no later report of a first reading. A search limited to the past month, run on 2 November 2026, returned nothing about such a bill3. We did not check the Hansard or the order paper, so “not found” is the honest limit of this page.
What is the timeline?
The table below lists the dated events on the online gambling bill, with a source for each.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 2024 | Bill to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 reported as put to Parliament | GamblingNews, trade press4 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | Prime Minister says seizures have reached billions of ringgit and online operators can open and shut quickly5; no bill mentioned | Newswav (Bernama) |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Fadillah Yusof says a law is being drafted, possibly for the next sitting1 | Free Malaysia Today |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Trade site reports that a bill is being drafted, with no name or text published6 | TheGamblest (low confidence) |
| 2 Nov 2026 | No tabling found in the sources checked | This page |
What would the new bill do?
Nobody outside government can say yet, because no text has been published in the sources we read. The aim, as reported, is to tackle illegal gambling including online operations. Earlier research recorded no decision on the form: a new Act of its own, or changes to the Common Gaming Houses Act or cybercrime rules2. A trade-press summary mentions stronger penalties and enforcement powers, but that is the site’s summary, not a government text. We will not guess at details.
Does anything change for players now?
Nothing changes for players now. Until a new law passes, the existing rules stand. The Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 applies, and a player in a common gaming house faces a fine up to RM5,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both7. Blocking of sites carries on under MCMC, as described in MCMC website blocking. Our guide to whether online gambling is legal in Malaysia covers the current law.
How is this page updated?
We re-check the news and Parliament’s own records and change the date at the top. If a bill is tabled, the date, name and stage will go in the table above. This page is information, not legal advice. If gambling is hurting you or someone close to you, see our responsible gambling page.