2 2026 World Judo Center in Malaysia Was Raided, 9 Suspects Arrested

JAKARTA - The Malaysian police raided two illegal online gambling centers (judol) that ran bets on the 2026 World Cup match. From operations in the Gelugor and Butterworth areas, nine perpetrators were secured by the police.

Penang Police Chief Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the raid was part of Operation Soga XI from June 11 to July 19 to suppress the activity throughout the state.

"In the first raid on June 26 at a condominium unit in The Light Collection 1, Gelugor, police arrested four people, consisting of a local woman and three foreign men aged between 29 and 44 years old," he said in a statement on Sunday evening, June 28, quoted from Bernama.

Lim said during the raid the police seized a number of computers, mobile phones, and various electronic devices used in illegal football gambling.

"The investigation revealed that the syndicate had used the place as a call center to manage customer accounts, monitor transactions, and promote online football betting through the 137.com website," he continued.

He added that in the second raid, at one of the condominium units in Marminton Homes, Butterworth, police arrested five local men aged between 27 and 41 years old.

Lim said the syndicate had been operating World Cup football betting through the Nova88 website, using the residence as its call centre.

From the second raid carried out on Saturday, June 27, the police seized six computers, mobile phones of various brands, internet modems, and various computer equipment used in betting activities.

"The modus operandi of the syndicate is to use the residence as a call center to manage customer accounts, receive and monitor online transactions, football betting, and provide customer support using computers and phones connected to gambling platforms," he said.

Lim said the nine people arrested were detained until July 1 for the sake of investigation. They are suspected of Article 4 (1) (e) of the Betting Law 1953 and Article 4 (1) (g) of the General Gambling House Law 1953.

According to him, during Operation Soga XI, the Penang Police had carried out 21 raids, arrested 28 people, and seized cash worth RM8,935, along with various equipment used in online gambling activities.

"Penang police will continue to intensify Operation Soga XI during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing on the detection of call centers, betting agents, organizers, and individuals involved in gambling activities, both physically and online," he said.

Gambling in Malaysia is allowed. This activity is regulated in the Malaysian constitution after the government legalized casinos in 1969.