In Malaysian cyber-cafés, there’s a new way to avoid being busted gambling online. A button that can completely erase or change a computer monitor’s screen puts many Malaysian gamblers at ease, especially when authorities step into the outlets.
The function is not hot-buttoned to individual keyboards, but located at the reception counter. This way the cyber-cafe operator can instantly erase any trace of online gambling from all of the screens in the room on the arrival of law enforcement.
For regular customers, the sudden change from online gambling site to search engine homepage is nothing to be worried about. They know that it is all part of avoiding a hefty fine from the authorities and an embarrassing social situation. Acting cool and typing something mundane into the search area such as “Malaysian News” is usually the reaction by those who were about to wager black or red on roulette just a couple of seconds earlier.
In fact, some online gambling den operators in Malaysia are now spending thousands switching video arcade gaming machines to computers with Internet access. This way gamblers may bet online while looking like they are playing something far less incriminating.
These new tactics were discovered by Selangor police during a raid in Seri Kembangan. Conducted by the anti-vice, gaming and secret societies division, the authorities seized 15 computers that had the “screen-changing” function. Six patrons were detained during the raid and police are tracking down the owner while continuing to monitor cybercafes.
