Malaysia to Grill Meta Over Online Gambling Ads
Malaysia's Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, has announced plans to meet with representatives from Meta on September 22, 2025, to tackle the persistent problem of online gambling advertisements on Facebook, with growing concerns over the platform's role in facilitating illegal activities in the country.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The meeting will address questions surrounding the Class Licence for Application Service Providers, highlighting the government's push for stricter oversight of social media content. Fahmi revealed that despite repeated complaints and content takedowns, Facebook continues to host a flood of gambling promotions, making it “the most problematic platform” in this regard. He pointed out that these ads are often paid for with credit cards, suggesting Meta should be aware of their illegality under Malaysian law.
The minister also expressed frustration over Meta's reluctance to take decisive action against accounts and payments linked to such promotions.
This issue is not new, as there have been previous engagements between Malaysian authorities and Meta over curbing online crimes, including gambling and scams.
For instance, in 2023 and 2024, Meta pledged to enhance online safety measures, particularly for children, and to monitor content related to illegal activities like online gambling. However, recent reports indicate that scam ads impersonating local media outlets to promote gambling have continued to appear on the platform.
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Government's Commitment to Public Harmony
Fahmi emphasized the government's zero-tolerance policy toward the exploitation of social media by criminals. This stance aligns with broader efforts by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to regulate online content, including reviewing defamatory and ‘sub judice’ material related to high-profile cases like the inquest into the death of teenager Zara Qairina.
The implications of the upcoming meeting could extend to updated regulatory frameworks for social media platforms operating in Malaysia. If unresolved, it may lead to stricter enforcement, potential fines, or even licensing revocations, as the government seeks to balance freedom of expression with public safety.
From the start until now, the majority of content we flagged and removed from Facebook involved online gambling ads, which continue to plague the platform despite our repeated efforts to have them taken down. If these ads are paid for with credit cards, Facebook should already know they are not permitted in Malaysia. The government would not allow criminals to exploit social media for profit at the expense of public harmony, and we are committed to ensuring platforms like Facebook take responsibility for the content they host.
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