Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said there would not be a second casino in Malaysia amid Muslim protests over a new gaming centre in the country.

Mahathir said the government had issued a licence to Bukit Tinggi Resort, owned by the Berjaya Group, to operate 250 slot machines but stressed it was not a casino and was meant o­nly for use by club members.

"We gave them a licence for o­ne-armed bandit (machines) like what we give to other clubs, to help them fund the club. It's not for public use," he told reporters.

Licence abuse

"I think they may have abused the licence. We have ordered this to be stopped. It's not a casino, it's not like Genting Highlands... we don't give any more licences for casino."

The new slot machine centre at Bukit Tinggi is just minutes away from Malaysia's sole casino at the Genting Highlands resort in central Pahang state.

The Islamic opposition party has criticised the move, saying it promoted gambling.

Analysts say the centre is aimed at wooing visitors to the resort, located about 60 km from Kuala Lumpur.