Malaysia to Meet Meta Over Illegal Online Gambling Ads

Malaysian officials are preparing to confront Meta executives over the growing presence of illegal online gambling ads on Facebook, with a meeting scheduled for later this month.

Good to Know

• Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil will meet Meta on 22 September 2025.
• Most Facebook content removals in Malaysia are tied to gambling-related ads.
• Gambling is largely illegal in Malaysia, but offshore iGaming is rising quickly.

Speaking to reporters, Communications Minister Fahmi said Facebook has failed to stop ads for online gambling despite being aware that such content violates Malaysian law.

“The majority of content taken down on Facebook consists of online gambling ads and gambling-related posts,” Fahmi explained. He added that Meta continues to allow credit card payments for these ads.

“If a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card and Facebook knows this content is illegal in Malaysia, they should block the account. But Facebook has refused to do so,” he said.

Fahmi emphasized that the upcoming meeting would aim for cooperation rather than confrontation.  He added:

“We are opting for dialogue rather than punitive measures. We do not intend to ban or shut down Facebook. Many people benefit from these platforms socially and economically. But we cannot allow criminals to misuse them for profit or to commit online crimes.”

Why Unlicensed Gambling Thrives in Malaysia

Malaysia’s gambling laws are among the strictest in Asia, with most citizens prohibited from participating under Islamic law. Legal betting options are limited to lotteries, horse racing, and the country’s sole licensed casino, Resorts World Genting.

Still, offshore iGaming platforms have grown rapidly, taking advantage of smartphone penetration, widespread internet access, and strong sports culture. Complete Sports reported that online betting in Malaysia is surging “at an unprecedented rate,” especially among younger users. Badminton and the English Premier League remain top betting choices.

Historical data also shows the scale of the problem. According to the National Institute for Biotechnology Information, illegal lotteries generated about 60% more revenue than the six licensed operators combined back in 2018.

Meta’s Policy on Gambling Ads

Meta tightened its rules in July 2025, stating that only advertisers licensed for a specific jurisdiction can target users where they are lawfully permitted. Malaysia, however, is listed as an unsupported market.

Even with those restrictions, Meta has distanced itself from responsibility, noting that it “is not responsible for how authorized ad accounts comply with local gambling laws and regulations.”

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