TNB cuts power to gambling dens
> Owners of premises will be blacklisted to prevent them from reapplying
BUTTERWORTH: Authorities have cut the power supply to several entertainment centres that are believed to provide illegal gambling services during an operation yesterday.
North Seberang Perai police chief ACP Azmi Adam said supply was stopped to nine premises beginning of this week with assistance from national power company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
He said the owners of premises, which have had their supply stopped, have also been blacklisted to prevent them from applying for electricity if they wanted to set up their operations at other premises in the future.
“TNB will refer to us if these blacklisted persons apply for electricity in the future,” he said at a press conference after cutting power to premises at Tingkat Bagan Baru 3.
Azmi said police will not let up on the enforcement against illegal gambling activities in his district.
Police have so far raided 55 entertainment outlets and seized a total of 385 simulator machines since January this year.
He said 22 of the outlets possessed valid entertainment licences issued by the local council but had abused them by providing such services while the other outlets were not licensed.
“The value of the seized goods is about RM7.7million,” he said adding police have also detained more than 40 people, aged between 20 and 30, during operations.
Azmi said investigations were carried out under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 where those convicted face fines of up to RM10,000 and a maximum RM100,000 fine for each confiscated machine and a maximum five-year prison sentence.
He also urged the public to provide information of such activities to the police so authorities could nip the problem in the bud.