4D operators' fortunes down 50pc
Published on: Tuesday, February 06, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Unlicensed gambling activities have started to take its toll on registered gambling operators, particularly with advance technology over the years. Tan Sri Dr T.C. Goh, President of Everise Ventures Sdn Bhd, the management company for Sandakan Turf Club (STC) which has a total of 40 4D outlets across the State, said business has dropped by more than 50 per cent over the past three years due to illegal bookies. "Our business has not been as good as the old days mainly because of unlicensed gaming activities which affects licensed operators," he said, after presenting "ang pows" and gift hampers to some 500 elderly citizens above 70 who turned up for STC's annual charity do in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebration at Lido Square, here, Monday.
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He said unregistered gambling activities these days have gone high tech, offering betting services through handphones and over online applications and the Internet, while licensed operators are still very conventional."We are still very conventional because we are limited by the licence governed by the Ministry of Finance. We have a lot of restrictions. "For example, now with unlicensed operators you can place your bets through handphone, while for the licensed operators you have to go to the outlet and queue to buy. Of course people will want to have convenience, thus you don't see as many people queuing up in our outlets nowadays," he said.
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"Our revenue has dropped, thus affecting our contribution in taxes to the Government. We, therefore, look forward to heightened efforts by the authorities and hope they will put a stop to unregistered gambling activities," he said.
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On another note, he said the STC charity event was part of its corporate social responsibility to the community, adding that the event is conducted every year since the company was established 24 years ago. "This time around, we have one recipient who is 104 years old and we look forward to seeing them again next year and the years to come. "Besides this yearly event for the elderly, STC also contributes to the community through charity welfare, including Chinese education, Chinese community work and sports, among others. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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