PETALING JAYA: Legalising sports betting can lead to more gambling addicts and cause social problems in the long run -- this is the general consensus of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk N. Marimuthu expressed concerns that such a move could lower people's morality.

"Some turn to gambling with the hopes of striking gold. But gambling, in whatever form, is never right," he said when asked to comment on a report yesterday that sports betting may soon be legalised, probably
in time for the Fifa World Cup Finals in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.

"Whatever your religion, gambling falls in the same category as womanising."  It was reported the Berjaya Group is seeking approval from the government to operate sports betting activities in the country, although it is unclear which betting system will be used.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) secretarygeneral Datuk Dr Maamor Osman said: "Betting is another form of gambling and gambling is bad."

"What's the use of labelling Malaysia a Muslim country if we do not portray it as such? Speaking from a multi racial angle, there is no religion that allows its followers to engage in such activity. It is bad for everyone."

"In the end, the winners are the betting organisers, and they will leave most gamblers flat broke. If we allow football betting, what's next? Golf, baseball, hockey... everything? We should not legalise something just because of pressure from businessmen."

Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) secretary-general Mohd Zaidi Aziz said legalising sports betting would also negatively influence youths.

"The government should not encourage gambling by legalising sports betting. Those addicted to gambling would borrow money from Ah Long (loan sharks) and get themselves and their families into debt," he
said.

"No gambling is halal and the government should instead educate youths not to gamble. Do we want young sports fans to get addicted to sports betting? Is that how we want to educate our children? Legalising it
may even encourage students to gamble."

This is Berjaya's second attempt at legalising sports betting in the country. In October 2004, Berjaya Group head Tan Sri Vincent Tan's privately owned Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd was reported to have received
approval to operate sports betting activities from the Finance Ministry, in which it would have paid RM25 million for a 20-year concession. But the then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi shot down the proposal.

While betting on football is illegal in Malaysia, it has been legal in Singapore since 1999.