The Finance Ministry said it only regulates existing licensed gambling activities and has not issued any new licences.

In a written parliamentary reply to Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun), the ministry said any move to amend existing gambling licensing policies must take into account the Federal Constitution and whether it would lead to an increase in unlicensed activities.

Abd Ghani (below) had asked Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim whether Putrajaya would abolish or limit gambling licence approvals to allow local authorities to ban gambling premises.

The reply came amid a push by the Kedah government for Putrajaya to help it reinstate a gambling ban in the state after a court overturned the ban.The ministry stressed its commitment to evaluating current regulations and cooperating with enforcement authorities to ensure gambling operations remain within legal parameters.