Police plead ignorance
Syndicates are running illegal casinos in a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, according to an expose in the New Straits Times.
The publication reported that the gambling “dens” are “passing off as family entertainment centers” or fashion and beauty stores but have all the accouterments of a casino.
The report also suggested the mini-casinos permit underage gambling, saying, “these dens will welcome everybody who can place a minimum bet of RM10 (US$2.39); a shop owner said one den offered a top jackpot of RM100,000 ($24,000). The gambling centers offer blackjack, poker, Sic Bo, roulette and slot machines.
The Times alerted the Federal Police Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice Division and Kuala Lumpur City Hall about the illicit gambling halls. A police official reportedly said, “I will make sure an operation is speedily carried out. By tonight. Please keep it low first. By the way, which mall is this?”
