It seems that the sports betting license issue will not cool down. At least not yet as the latest written reply from the prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in parliament is causing further confusion. The question was posted by Datuk Mahfuz Omar, the Pokok Sena Member of Parliament who requested for the list of terms and conditions issued to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd when the government ‘awarded’ the license (which was withdrawn eventually).

Najib’s response was “For your information, the government has not released any licence for sports betting for the 2010 World Cup. Hence, the issue on the expected revenue from the World Cup bets does not rise. However, the government offered a re-issuance of the licence to Ascot Sports for bookie services (not including the 2010 World Cup) since the company was given prior approval to conduct the activity. Hence, the government is of the opinion that if the re-issuance of the licence is to be reconsidered, it would be only fair for Ascot Sports to be given priority based on its experience in the industry.”

Mahfuz said “His answer should reflect the government’s stand, as recently announced by Najib. Although I asked about it, why did his response come out like this? What is his real stand? Najib’s response was unclear and that it only raised further questions on whether the government still had plans to approve the sports betting licence but just not for the ongoing World Cup. This means that the issue of World Cup does not rise. The question now is that, the licence is not given for the World Cup… but after that? Perhaps for the English Premier League? Or Piala Malaysia? Does it mean that the government will issue the licence to Ascot Sports for other events and not the World Cup? I want an honest explanation from the government on this. Furthermore, the issue here is also whether the decision should come from the Cabinet or from the Umno Supreme Council? The Prime Minister had made the announcement only after the Umno Supreme Council meeting and not following a discussion in the Cabinet. Does that mean the licence is still on? Or is the Umno Supreme Council more important or higher in status than the Cabinet?”

Source: http://www.malaysiatoday.com/Latest-News/pm-causing-more-confusion-in-sports-betting-license-issue.html

Once upon a time, there was a company “Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd” incorporated since 1984 own by Vincent Tan that initially issued with horse racing bets. It was asked to stop at year 1990. Then Ascot Sports was re-issued with the license by Finance Ministry in 2003 and suspended a year later.

Fast forward to recent news where government announce to allow Ascot Sports to operate for sports betting at all Sports toto outlet. Not because that the government want to encourage gamble. But with all the illegal bookies around making near to RM 20 Billion of revenue every year seems to lucrative to just let them have all the fun and money. Isn’t it great to have a piece of the RM 20 billion? Then Najib said that it is not concreted yet and finally did not issue the license to Ascot once again after feedback from public advice. Vincent Tan has been very nice for not filing any lawsuit against the government for their ability to U-turn their decision.

In the most recent episode Najib announce that the government is reconsidering the re-issuance of license to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd again but not for World Cup, maybe other sporting event (World Cup only happen once every 4 year, English premier league is every year!).

So, what will happen to the Sports Betting Saga..

to be continue.

or maybe after another Umno Supreme Council meeting…