Is Malaysia Suitable for Casino Tourism?
Lush rainforests packed with beautiful wildlife, gorgeous beaches, and fantastic food, welcome to Malaysia, a slice of paradise in East Asia. With dynamic cities, friendly people, and a vibrant culture, there’s much for tourists to see and experience in Malaysia.
Millions of visitors have also sought to quench their gambling thirst here. As a Muslim-majority country, there are strict laws either banning or restricting gambling. We have compiled this guide to the country’s casino tourism. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including online gambling in Malaysia.
A Focus On Government Regulations
Games of chance were “imported” into the East Asian country in the nineteenth century by Chinese merchants. Gambling, both authorized and illegal, is quite rampant in the country. From a legal standpoint, the government permits but restricts gambling. That’s especially true for horse racing, casino games, and lotteries.
There’s a gray area when playing online gambling in Malaysia, but it is popular. Top casino sites offer welcome offers, free credit no deposit Malaysia bonuses, and bonus spins for Malay and tourist bettors. Most are overseas and not regulated by the government.
For land-based gambling, only non-Muslims over 21 are permitted to place wagers. Racetracks, casinos, and lottery operators required to abide by strict regulations and rules set by the government. They heavily limit slot machines and table games on the casino floor. A few private clubs, especially those operated by foreigners, have also acquired licenses to offer card games and slot machines to members.
Is Gambling Legal in Malaysia?
Three statutes heavily influence Malaysian casino laws. That’s the Sharia law, the Common Gaming Houses Act of 1953, and the Betting Act of 1953. While most tourists don’t have to lose sleep over these three laws, it pays to keep them in mind.
The Betting Act 1953
Revised multiple times since enactment, the Act rules the roost over all forms of wagering. It regulates communications between licensed betting operators and their customers. Under the Act, gambling is legal only if the house has a permit from the Betting Control Board (Unit Kawalan Perjudian). Unlicensed gambling houses and those found wagering in them face up to 5 years of jail time. The maximum fine is set at RM200,000.
Common Gaming Houses Act 1953
The revised form of this statute has more room for other forms of gambling in Malaysia than the Betting Act. It governs any activity of chance where something of value, like money, is at stake. The Finance Ministry ramped up the Act in 2020, increasing the punishment for gambling operators and gamblers who violate it. The penalty jumped to RM100000, while the jail term starts from six months.
Sharia and the Gambling Law in Malaysia
Under Islamic law, Malaysian Muslims are roundly forbidden from engaging in any form of gambling. As the majority religion, any Muslim found to have gambled faces the full force of the Sharia court. That exempts non-Muslims, including ethnic groups like Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
Lottery games permitted to operate in the country under the Lotteries Act of 1952. Six privately owned lotto are licensed and legal. Unfortunately, unlicensed lotto operators in the country pull in 60% more money than their licensed counterparts.
Racetracks and plunking down on horse races are legal in Malaysia under the Racing Act of 1961. There are three privately owned racecourses throughout the country. If you wonder, “Is gambling legal in Malaysia?” plenty of licensed options exist.
Where Can I Gamble as a Tourist?
The country currently has only one integrated casino resort, but there are plenty of other ways to gamble on your trip.
Resorts World Genting
RWG is the crown jewel of Malaysia’s casino tourism, located in the hills above Kuala Lumpur. As Asia’s largest gaming venue, Genting offers over 350 table games and 3000 slot machines across its floor. The lavish rooms are a great place to kick back and enjoy playing at your favorite gambling site in Malaysia.
The privately owned Vegas-style opens 24/7 but refuses entry to minors (under 21) and Muslims. Sky Casino is the hallmark of Genting Highlands, featuring roughly 400 types of electronic table games over two stories. Old-school bettors choose from more than 30 traditional tables for roulette, tai sai, and blackjack.
Day visits to the casino often include a theme park tour, cable rides, and restaurants. However, the remote location of Genting means it caters more to locals seeking an escape than international casino tourists.
Horse Racing Betting – The Penang, Perak, and Selangor Turf Clubs
Those looking to veer off casino tourism should try horse-race gambling in Malaysia. Wagering only legal at the three licensed racecourses. The Selangor Turf Club is hands down the biggest. Races here run the gamut from 1200m to world-class 2400m Grade 1 puts. They include the Tunku Gold Cup, SG Cup, and Piala Emas Sultan Selangor.
Penang Turf Club is the oldest, launched in 1864. The private racetrack offers more than horse racing and wagering. The vast golf course isn’t too shabby, plus private poker and card games are hosted regularly for members.
Perak Turf Club offers good RM2 and RM3 racing odds. They host renowned Grade 1 races like the Sultan Gold Vase, The Perak Derby, and The P. Coronation Cup.
Is Playing Online Gambling in Malaysia Safe?
Many Malay-facing casino sites are legit and licensed overseas. The majority hold trusted licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and MGA. Third-party labs like TST, eCOGRA, and NMi scrutinize the games at any trustworthy gambling site in Malaysia. That means players should expect fair play and top security.
Wrapping Up
Truly, Asia has the potential to become a significant casino tourism destination. It has a well-established resort, a supportive government, and a large potential market. However, a few challenges should be addressed before it becomes a significant casino tourism destination, such as the need for more competition and cultural sensitivity, especially toward online gambling in Malaysia.
