SIBU: A 36-year-old man was fined RM1,000, in default 14 days’ incarceration, by the Magistrates’ Court here today (June 27) for engaging in illegal online gambling activities.
Magistrate Romario Jonoi convicted Ting Chee Heng from Rejang Park after accepting his plea of guilty to the charge read and explained to him through an interpreter.
According to the charge sheet, Ting was indicted on placing bets on the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, also known as UEFA Euro 2024, at an enterprise company in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on June 20 at about 10.05pm, with a bookmaker by using his handphone.
Thereby, he has committed an offence under Section 6(1) of the Betting Act 1953, which provides for a fine up to RM5,000 or six months’ imprisonment or both upon conviction.
In outlining the fact of case, prosecuting officer Inspector Kumreswaran Murugan told the court that on June 20 at approximately 11.05pm, a police team from the Criminal Investigation Department led by Inspector Hairul Hussin conducted a raid on an illegal gambling activity in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Upon inspection, they found in the accused’s possession a mobile handphone used for betting on UEFA Euro 2024.
The accused was subsequently placed under arrest and his handphone seized for further investigation.
Inspector Hairul, as a gambling expert and who made an analysis at the scene, found that the accused’s mobile phone was used as a medium or equipment to conduct online betting gambling activities.
The betting took place on the UEFA Euro 2024 through online application (m.m8online.net.apps.min).
The mobile phone was in the accused possession and the registration of the sim card belonged to the accused.
Ting, who did not have legal representation, was released after opting to pay the fine.
