He said many people were involved in this illegal gambling habit and the enforcement authorities must act as a matter of urgency against those involved.

Lee said online gambling had a strong influence on the youth, especially teenagers.

“The introduction of online gambling has drawn in the youth, especially teenagers, into gambling, which leads to various societal ills.

“Gambling will make them desperate for more money.

“Although the fact remains that gambling is a losing game, their desire to play will lead them to look for money, especially through borrowing.

“This will lead them to get loans from Ah Longs (loan sharks). They will get themselves trapped in debts that may have severe effects on their future.”

The Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) also requested for local enforcement authorities to be involved in combating illegal gambling in residential areas, instead of just relying on the police.

MyWatch chairman R Sanjeevan regretted that residents associations often ignored such activities taking place in their areas.

“The local enforcement authorities push their responsibility to the police, but we have to be aware that the police’s job is not just against illegal gambling,” Sanjeevan said.

He suggested that the residents or those representing them provide information to the police.

“If they don’t do that, how are the police going to make arrests then?”

Sanjeevan suggested that the heads of the illegal gambling syndicates be arrested under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.