Sentul swoop uncovers World Cup betting hub doubling as unlicensed entertainment outlet, 33 foreigners detained

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Police raided a premises in Taman Wahyu, Sentul, yesterday, believed to be used as a 2026 World Cup football betting call centre as well as an unlicensed entertainment outlet, detaining 34 individuals, including 33 foreigners.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the raid was conducted at 3.30am by the Gambling, Vice and Secret Societies Division (D7) of the Sentul district police headquarters' Criminal Investigation Department, following surveillance and intelligence gathering.

He said those detained, aged between 20 and 40, comprised 28 Chinese nationals, three men from Myanmar, one man from South Korea, one woman from Thailand and one local woman.

“Initial investigations found the premises were used to manage, organise, and promote online gambling involving 2026 World Cup football betting, besides operating as an unlicensed entertainment outlet.

“The premises is believed to have been operating since mid-June, daily from 5pm to 3am,” he said in a statement today.

Fadil said police also seized 15 mobile phones, two laptops, RM60 in cash and musical equipment believed to have been used at the premises.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(c) and Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953, Section 4(1) of the Entertainment (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) Act 1992, and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. — Bernama