KUALA LUMPUR: Many punters still prefer to bet with illegal gaming operators despite the possibility of not receiving a full payout or nothing at all if their number strikes.

The reasons include the ease of placing bets, either through the phone or text messages, and the extra percentage of winnings paid out by illegal operators.

"Operators offer two types of packages to their punters. They can either receive up to 10 per cent more on their winnings or they can pay 10 per cent less on their bets," a police source told the New Straits Times.

For example, if a punter bets RM1 on a number which strikes first prize, he will receive RM2,500 (S$1030) from legal operators. However, he would receive RM2,750 if he bought it from illegal operators.

An example of the second package would be if the punter placed a RM10 bet on a number, he would only need to pay RM9.

If his number comes out in the draw, the winnings would not include the extra 10 per cent.

In many instances, it is a norm to see long queues outside legal four-digit outlets. But placing bets with gaming syndicates is more convenient and secretive.

"Punters do not need to see the runner if they want to place their bets as they can do it verbally or text message by phone.

"In some cases, if the punters are Internet-savvy, they can place their bets on certain websites. All these can be done without the punters leaving the comfort of their home or office," the source said.

Illegal operators also do not require punters to pay on the spot.

"Most operators settle accounts with punters once a week, unlike the legal operators which require punters to pay cash when placing bets."

Illegal syndicates, however, also set ceilings. This means once a certain amount has been collected on a number, they do not accept any more bets on that particular number.

"Syndicates practice this to limit the payout in the event that the number is drawn. For example, 1010 was sold out on Oct 10 because many punters placed bets on the number," said the police source.

"Investigations have shown that there are cases of illegal operators only paying out half of the winnings or absconding with the money. But these are not common."

"As word spreads rapidly through the underworld, most syndicates do not want their 'reputation' besmirched by such allegations and as such, are normally prompt with the full payment," the source added.