Malaysia Police to investigate AI-altered gambling videos as illegal betting surges

Malaysia’s top police official has confirmed that authorities will investigate any cases involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create gambling-related video content, amid rising concerns over the evolving nature of illegal betting promotions.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain stated that while no complaints have yet been received regarding AI-generated videos featuring celebrities, police are prepared to act swiftly if such material emerges. “Investigations will be carried out if such content comes to light. Victims of these syndicates are urged to lodge police reports,” he said in comments to local media.

So far, most gambling promotions detected by authorities have involved static images shared by social media influencers. Under the ongoing nationwide operation dubbed Op Dadu, police have opened 28 investigation papers relating to gambling promotions by influencers in the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor areas. Eighteen of those cases have already led to prosecutions, while 10 remain under investigation.

Between 2021 and 2024, Malaysian authorities blocked access to 3,785 gambling websites. This year alone, more than 7,800 raids targeting illegal gambling operations have been conducted across the country, resulting in the arrest of 9,460 individuals.

Despite these enforcement efforts, Razarudin acknowledged that technological advancements, including encrypted communication platforms and emerging AI tools, have complicated investigations and the collection of admissible evidence. 

“There is currently no specific legal definition for ‘online gambling’ under existing laws, which makes enforcement difficult and enables many cases to be challenged in court,” he said.

He also pointed to structural issues in Malaysia’s legal framework, noting that the primary statute governing gambling offenses, the Betting Act 1953, has not been updated for decades. The outdated provisions and penalties, he argued, are no longer adequate deterrents in a rapidly digitizing gambling ecosystem.

Razarudin stated that law enforcement would continue to pursue individuals and syndicates involved in illegal gambling operations and warned that those found guilty could face severe penalties, including fines and custodial sentences.