Malaysia turns up the heat on slot machine operators, with senior executives questioned in anti-graft probe

Official government estimates put tax collection from gaming activities at over 4.5 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion) annually, with a bulk of it coming from one casino operation controlled by the Genting Group, that also runs an integrated resort operation in Singapore.

A large chunk also comes from the six official lottery operations, including the likes of Magnum and Sports Toto, which are owned by publicly listed entities.

A SECRETIVE SLICE

Slot machine operations occupy a secretive slice of this thriving gambling scene. 

Industry executives estimate that there are close to roughly 300 legal slot machine establishments nationwide with each premise operating at least 15 machines. All these operations are controlled by privately held companies. 

The main industry players are GPL Sdn Bhd, which is controlled by businessman David Cheng, who enjoyed close ties with now jailed former premier Najib Razak, and the Waz Lian Group, which is majority-owned by low-key businessman Ta Kin Yan. 

Palmgold Corporation, which is controlled by businessman Danny Tan Chee Sing, who is the younger brother of tycoon Vincent Tan Chee Yioun of the Berjaya conglomerate, is ranked as the third-largest operator.

Government officials noted executives from the top three slot machine operators were called in for questioning by the MACC, which also summoned company executives from gaming equipment distributor RGB International Bhd.

The ongoing probe is tied to claims by Mr Anwar that several of the slot machine operators had made financial contributions to political parties in the previous Perikatan Nasional coalition government headed by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Muhyiddin has denied the allegations, but industry sources noted that the investigators from the MACC are pursuing leads related to links between the award of new slot machine licences and political contributions.

The ongoing MACC investigation is not the only set of problems facing slot machine operators. Officials from the MACC did not respond to queries.