Malaysia to Confront Meta Over Illegal Gambling Ads on Facebook

Malaysia is intensifying pressure on Meta Platforms as government officials prepare for a high-level meeting to address the surge of unlawful online gambling promotions circulating on Facebook. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed he will meet with Meta executives on 22 September 2025, seeking tougher measures against the persistent spread of gambling content that is banned in the country.

Authorities in Malaysia have repeatedly flagged illicit gambling advertisements to Meta, yet such material continues to appear across the platform. Fahmi noted that the bulk of Facebook’s content removals in Malaysia are linked to online gambling, but enforcement remains inconsistent. “The majority of content taken down from Facebook is related to gambling. It is far too easy to find such material on the platform,” he told reporters.

One major concern extends beyond moderation to how Meta manages advertising payments. Fahmi criticised the company for failing to block credit card transactions linked to prohibited gambling promotions. “If a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card, and Facebook knows this content is illegal in Malaysia, they should block the credit card account used. But Facebook has refused to do so,” he said.

This perceived inaction has fuelled frustration within the government. According to Fahmi, Meta has raised several questions about enforcement and licensing that will be addressed during the upcoming meeting.

Despite public anger, Malaysian officials have ruled out drastic action such as banning or restricting Facebook. Fahmi acknowledged that millions of Malaysians rely on the platform for both economic and social purposes, and shutting it down would unfairly impact legitimate users. “Many people benefit from these platforms socially and economically — but we cannot allow criminals to misuse them for profit or to commit online crimes,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the government is pursuing a “constructive, dialogic approach” with Meta rather than a punitive stance. The upcoming talks will aim to balance user access with more effective monitoring and blocking of illegal content.

Illegal gambling has been a persistent problem in Malaysia. Authorities recently arrested 328 people in a coordinated crackdown on unlawful operations. Since January 2022, more than 558,000 pieces of online content deemed illegal — primarily related to gambling and fraud — have been removed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

While Malaysia allows certain legal gambling activities, such as licensed lotteries, horse racing, and operations at , all forms of online gambling remain prohibited. Nevertheless, offshore operators continue to exploit loopholes to target local players.

Alongside enforcement, the government is working to make the digital environment safer through the Safe Internet Campaign. Led by the MCMC, the campaign has already reached over 2,600 schools nationwide this year, with an ambitious target of 10,000 schools by next year. Universities and community organisations are also involved in spreading awareness about cyber risks and safe internet use. Fahmi highlighted that the initiative is designed to educate children and families about responsible digital habits. “It is to deliver the message that we must use the internet safely, and that in fact we have the ability to make the internet safer, especially for children and families,” he said.

During a recent working visit to Penang, the minister praised the role of National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) managers in supporting these efforts. Under the “1 State Constituency 1 Nadi” initiative, 42 Nadis have been established in Penang, serving as hubs for public outreach on safe and responsible internet use.

The upcoming meeting with Meta is expected to clarify enforcement expectations, including issues around the Application Service Provider (ASP) licensing framework. Fahmi stressed that while the government values the social and economic contributions of Meta’s platforms, there is zero tolerance for illegal gambling. “Complaints that we have submitted from the beginning until now, for example, if an online gambling advertisement is paid for using a credit card, Facebook should know that this is content not permitted in Malaysia,” he reiterated.

By pressing Meta to step up enforcement, Malaysia aims to curb criminal misuse of social media while preserving the positive role platforms play in society. Officials hope the September 22 discussions will result in stronger collaboration and a safer online environment for Malaysian users.

Source:

“,” World Casino Directory, September 19, 2025.