Despite protests from civil society, religious groups and opposition figures, the government has gone ahead to legalise sports gambling.

According to Sin Chew Daily , Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also finance minister, yesterday issued a football betting licence to the Berjaya Group through its subsidiary, Ascot Sports.

It comes at an opportune time, given the Fifa World Cup Finals in South Africa scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 11.

NONE However, it is learnt that Ascot Sports will not be able to get the betting service ready in time for the World Cup.

According to sources, Ascot Sports will only begin taking bets later this year.

With the licence, Berjaya becomes the sole football gambling company in the country.

NONE Berjaya - owned by tychoon Vincent Tan ( right ) - had earlier sought licensing from the government to operate sports gambling operations.

Gaming licence rejected by Pak Lah

It was issued with the licence by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987. However, Tan surrendered the licence in 1990 after finding the operation not lucrative enough.

Berjaya was reissued the licence in 2003.

However, it was not allowed to operate by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over from Mahathir in 2004.

With a new prime minister at the helm, Berjaya was finally given the green light.

It is understood that Berjaya subsidiary Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which operates hundreds of betting outlets throughout the country, will be taking in bets.

If was previously rumoured that 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which also comes under the Berjaya stable of companies, would serve to take in bets.

Berjaya had yesterday requested for a suspension of trading of its securities from 9am to 5pm today pending an announcement of an acquisition from a related party of the company and a capital-raising exercise.

Berjaya confirms receiving license

In a statement late this evening, Berjaya Group confirmed that it has been re-issued the license that it was held in 1987 and that Tan has sold the controlling state of Ascot Sports to the conglomerate.

According to the statement, Ascot Sports plans to roll out gaming products for internationally sporting events including football, basketball, motor racing, tennis and golf.

Punters will be able to place bets through 220 Sports Toto outlets in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Ascot Sports will also offer telephone betting convenience and only adults above 21 years old and non-Muslims will be allowed to open a telephone betting account.

“Muslims are strictly prohibited from betting with Ascot Sports,” read the statement.

Berjaya to take controlling stake in Ascot Sports