Local man fined RM1,000 over UEFA Euro 2024 football betting

The court complex in Kuching.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, July 31: A local man was fined RM1,000 or sentenced to three months in prison by the Magistrate’s Court here for his involvement in betting on UEFA Euro 2024 football matches last June.

Eddy Hazizi Zailani, 31, from Kampung Paya Mebi, pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 6(1) of the Betting Act 1953 (Act 495) before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan.

The charge carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding RM5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

The accused was charged with committing the offense at a premises in Siburan, Jalan Kuching-Serian, at approximately 7.35pm on June 15.

The case facts revealed that a raid, known as Op Soga X, was conducted by a police team from the D7 Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Padawan District Police at a premises suspected of running a football betting operation in conjunction with UEFA Euro 2024.

During the raid, the police apprehended the accused and seized several items, including a mobile phone, RM164 in cash, and betting slips.

Investigations confirmed by a gambling expert’s report indicated that the seized items, such as the betting slips, were indeed related to the football match betting schedule.

The prosecution was led by Prosecuting Officer Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang, while the accused was not represented by a lawyer. — DayakDaily