Police in Malaysia have arrested 1,035 individuals for illegal gambling during the Chinese New Year period, according to local online newspaper, The Star.

The Senior Assistant Commissioner of the Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division said the suspects were detained during operation Ops Limau, conducted between 1 and 14 Februray.

The Star quotes Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa as saying cash totalling RM650,689 ($159,386) was seized in 176 operations conducted around the country.

He added the rate of success in police investigations has increased by 151% year-on-year.

Horseracing was reported to be one of the illegal games identified, with dice-based holo also included.

Rohaimi said new methods have been used by syndicates, including connecting a projector to a motherboard and developing their own chips.