PM Najib said NO to sports betting

It is good news to me that legalized sports betting is stopped, as announced Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Prime Minister.

I do realize that the Government (in particular the Federal Government) is need of more cash, more tax money. Sports betting business is very lucrative; sports fans are known to bet anything from RM50 to RM5,000. This is indeed HUGE business…probably bigger than 4-digit business. 4 digit punters often bet anything from RM10 to RM300; this figure is smaller compared to the potential in sports betting.

My objection to legalizing sports betting is because:
1) This will be seen as BN Government supporting, endorsing or promoting Sports Betting and Gambling.
2) MCA had stated their stand and reasons behind their stand. Concluded stand was to concur with legalized sports betting.
3) PR would have a new song to sing. BN, UMNO and MCA supports gambling, supports sports betting in open manner.
4) Legalized Sports Betting will be another Modal Politik for DAP, Keadilan and PAS.
5) Most importantly, Legalized Sports Betting may cause Najib to be the last Prime Minister from BN. Remember R-A-H-M-A-N.
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Saturday June 26, 2010
PM: No sports betting licence
By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD newsdesk@thestar.com.my


KUALA LUMPUR: No sports betting licence will be issued as feedback from the public indicate a majority of people oppose such a move, said the Prime Minister.
[my comments: APPLAUSE to Mr Prime Minister for listening to the voice of the Rakyat.]

“It (the decision) is about political impact and from the (Islam) religion point of view.
[my comments: Christians and Buddhists also must NOT and should NOT gamble. No eomments about atheists as they are not guided by any God, gods or religion.]

“Our intention earlier was to control illegal betting which is said to worth close to RM10bil; as well as to curb the rampant crime activities resulting from this illegal trade,” said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He added the issue was raised at the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday and the council members supported the decision unanimously.

Najib said Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd had been informed of the decision.
“They accepted it,” he said at a press conference at about 11.30pm after chairing the meeting.
As the approval given to Ascot earlier was “in principle” only, Najib said the issue of compensating the company did not arise as the Finance Ministry had the absolute right to withdraw the approval given.
Najib added the Government was not too concerned about the economic impact resulting from decision to say no to sports betting.
It is understood that the matter has been conveyed to Tan Sri Vincent Tan, the chairman and chief executive officer of Berjaya Corp. He is expected to issue a statement on Monday.
The Finance Ministry had on June 7 told Parliament that Government had yet to issue a sports betting licence to Ascot.
However, Berjaya Corp in a filing to Bursa Malaysia in May, informed about its acquisition of Ascot.
The company also told Bursa that Ascot was re-issued the licence by Finance Ministry to carry out sports betting operations with certain terms and conditions.

source: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/26/nation/6554682&sec=nation