The government has approved 69 licences for slot machines since December 1999 until May this year.

These licences were issued to companies, said the Finance Ministry in a written reply to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) in Parliament yesterday.

The ministry said that the licences came with strict conditions and regulations which the companies must abide. One is that the slot machines should not be located nearby or in residential areas.

"The slot machines should only be placed in a private room with a security guard on duty at the entrance," the ministry said.

It added that only club members are allowed to enter the room while Muslims, non-members and those under 21 are strictly prohibited.

"The company is also not allowed to advertise the slot machines in the newspapers or over radio and television."

Bukit Tinggi casino

This revelation followed a controversy last month when opposition party PAS revealed that the government had issued a licence to Bukit Tinggi Resort to operate a casino in its premises at Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

The casino would have been the second one in the country, following the Genting Highlands casino, also in Pahang.

However the government then clarified that Bukit Tinggi Resort has not been given a casino licence, but only licences to operate slot machines for its members. The resort has since suspended operations pending further inquiry on the terms and conditions of their licence by the Finance Ministry. (photo)

Last week, malaysiakini also reported that a mini-casino is currently under construction in Tioman Island Resort and is almost 90 per cent completed.

The report quoted PAS member of Parliament for Kubang Krian, Husam Musa as saying that the federal government had approved a 'mini-casino' for operation on the island resort.

PAS has said that it would revoke casino licences if it comes to power.