In recent years, the Malaysian population has begun enjoying the luxury of online casinos. Of late, the popularity of online casino games in Malaysia has been rising dramatically. This is due to the fact that all forms of gambling have been declared illegal by the Betting Act 1953 and the Common Betting Houses Act 1953, unless licensed by the state.
However, the online gambling industry has opened a portal to the Malaysian people, giving them access to the bountiful world of betting. There have been rumors emerging lately that the Malaysian authorities are mulling over the idea of legalizing and regulating online gambling. Who knows what the future has in store for Malaysian casino supporters.
Gambling in Malaysia
Gambling in Malaysia is strictly prohibited by the Betting Act 1953 and the Common Betting Houses Act 1953. The only exceptions to this rule are lotteries and placing bets on horses. This is thanks to the Lotteries Act 1952 and the Racing Act 1961. Betting on horse racing is allowed, but only at a physical horse race. The only other exception is a company that has been registered under the rules of the Companies Act 1965, who can obtain a license for operating a casino.
One of the reasons behind such strict prohibition of gambling in Malaysia is due to the fact that over 60% of the population is Muslim. The Malaysian Constitution makes Islam the mandatory religion for all ethnic Malays. This makes 60% of the population in Malaysia subject only to the Sharia Law.
Realistically speaking, the Betting Act 1953 and the Common Betting Houses Act 1953 only apply to the non-Muslim part of the population. This is because the Sharia Law is the only law that governs people of Islam faith, which means that laws of the Lotteries Act 1952 and the Racing Act 1961 don’t apply Islamic Malays. Betting in any way, shape, or form, is strictly prohibited to them.
Gambling is forbidden by Islamic law on the grounds that the agreement between participants is based on immoral inducement provided by entirely wishful hopes in the participants’ minds that they will gain by mere chance, with no consideration of the possibility of loss.
Legal Gambling Activities in Malaysia
Although the Malaysian government seems to have taken a strict attitude towards gambling activities, there are a few options for Malaysian non-Muslims to indulge in some betting hobbies.
- Lottery – In accordance with the Lotteries Act 1952, playing the lottery is allowed under strict government regulations. One can only receive a license from the Minister of Finance. The laws state that any income from lottery games are not to be profitable to any individual person. Rather, the revenue from this type of games is only to be used for communal welfare, as long as it is not applied for any purpose connected with the Islamic religion.
- Horse Race Betting – The legal framework for this activity falls under the rules of the Racing Act 1961, which legalized all forms of pari-mutuel horse race betting hosted by Malaysia’s racecourses. One must be wary of betting in houses that aren’t licensed, however.
- Land-based casino – although common betting houses have been prohibited by the Common Betting Houses Act 1953, it does stipulate that companies registered under the rules of the Companies Act 1965 can obtain gambling licenses. Courtesy of which, Malaysia is home to one of the largest casinos in the world – Genting Highlands. This casino was mainly established for Chinese individuals residing in Malaysia. The lone casino was established in 1969 by Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, who asked former Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman to give him a license to operate a casino.
Online Gambling in Malaysia
The Betting Act 1953 and the Common Betting Houses Act 1953 are extremely detailed and leave practically no loopholes for people in Malaysia who wish to gamble. Sanctions for people caught betting could include a hefty fine of no more than 5,000 Malaysian Ringgit or up to 6 months imprisonment, or even both. The sanctions for people operating and housing a betting operation are considerably worse.
While hosting a gambling operation, whether online or land-based, is illegal in Malaysia, it is not clear whether or not patronizing an online betting site is illegal. The laws in the books were written decades ago and there is no mention of placing bets online in any of them.
As a whole, placing bets online is tolerated in Malaysia. If not tolerated, it is at least swept under the rug as long as you are not of Islamic faith. The population in Malaysia is over 31 million, which makes it the perfect target for online casino operators.
But aside from the illegal online gambling activities in Malaysia, there is a licensed online operator available to Malays. It is their lottery online portal called Magnum 4D. This is the first private company to receive a license issued by the Malaysian Government.
The Magnum Corporation is a member of the World Lottery Association and the Asia Pacific Lottery Association. These are member-based organizations for state-owned and legalized lotteries.
Malaysian citizens who are non-Muslim also have access to an online sports betting site called Sports Toto. This company was first established in 1969 by the Malaysian government, but was privatized in 1985.
Today, Sports Toto is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Berjaya Sports Toto Berhad, which is listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia. It claims to be the largest operator of 4D based games in Malaysia.
Malaysian-Friendly Payment Methods
While land-based betting is strictly regulated by the government in Malaysia, the online world of gambling has a diverse range of recreational activities to offer Malaysian citizens. Many online casinos accept players globally and in accordance, provide a wide variety of payment methods.
We advise you to choose the best option by taking into consideration possible fees, minimum and maximum deposit/withdrawal requirements. Also, some methods are for depositing only, so make sure you have a suitable option for requesting withdrawals at an online casino before making a deposit.
Debit/Credit Card
Players can manage their funds easily using their debit/credit cards at the majority of online casinos. VISA, MasterCard, and Maestro are the most widely accepted cards. Be sure to check your preferred betting site, however, as some jurisdictions don’t accept credit card payments from Malaysian players.
E-Wallets
As the internet is growing, so are the online payment methods. E-wallets have been growing alarmingly fast in popularity in recent years. Malaysian betters can opt for web wallets like Neteller, ecoPayz, or WebMoney, some of the more reliable methods out there. The best thing with e-wallets is that at the bulk of online casinos, depositing is instant, and withdrawals take no more than 24 hours to process.
Cryptocurrencies
Many online casinos support cryptocurrencies as a payment method. A cryptocurrency is a digital currency. The most popular of the cryptocurrencies has to be Bitcoin. There are even some casinos that deal in cryptocurrencies only. A great plus to this payment method is that deposits are all instant, and withdrawal requests take no more than 24 hours.
Bonuses and Promotions for Malaysian Players
When choosing an online casino, one of the main factors are the bonuses that it has to offer. Many online casinos have generous promotions for new players as well as loyal players. You want to look for an online gambling domain that provides a range of fruitful rewards to its customers.
But always keep in mind that with these bountiful bonuses come certain wagering requirements and rules. Always read the terms and conditions extensively to make sure you are not getting scammed.
Welcome Bonuses
Due to the great diversity and rapidly growing numbers of online casinos, welcome bonuses are becoming quite a competitive game. While some come with unfair terms and conditions, others offer great gambling opportunities to new players. Welcome bonuses usually consist of a percentage match of your first deposit. The standard match for these types of bonuses can vary from 50% to 200%. Of course, more renowned casinos with a larger capital can afford to offer a larger percentage to its newcomers. These percentage matches are usually capped at a certain value. Some online casinos offer free spins to go with the cash bonus. Welcome bonuses usually have wagering requirements attached to the offer that must be completed before a player can request a withdrawal of their winnings.
No Deposit Bonuses
This type of offer is a tactic casinos use to let new players try out what they have to offer without requiring a deposit. This bonus generally comes in the form of free spins. They usually have a capped value and winnings allowed to be withdrawn from the bonus spins. No deposit bonuses are often restricted to certain popular games the casino has to offer. Customarily there are wagering requirements that need to be fulfilled before one can withdraw their winnings.
Cashback
Some online casinos offer their players a cashback bonus in the event that they lose all of their deposited funds while playing at the casino. The cashback is generally a smaller percentage of the original deposit made. A common trait of this type of bonus is that it has no wagering requirements.
Free Spins
Many online casinos will offer free spins to their new and loyal players. They generally come with wagering requirements and can only be played on certain games, though sometimes casinos will let their players have free reign on the games they play with their bonus spins.
VIP Programs
This is one of the important things to look for at a virtual casino. This kind of program consists of tiers. You climb the VIP ladder by playing and depositing at online casinos. The higher up the loyalty levels you get, the bigger and better the bonuses. You can get free spins, certain daily/weekly cashback offers, special prizes, and more. This kind of offer is one all online players should take an interest in.
Key Bonus Terms and Conditions
1Minimum Deposit
Minimum deposits are usually required before one is eligible to claim a bonus offer. Sometimes the minimum deposit required for a promotion is larger than the minimum deposit required to play at the casino.
2Wagering Requirements
These are usually attached to all kinds of welcome promotions, free spins, and no deposit bonuses. Online casinos set a fixed playthrough to either the bonus amount or the bonus amount and the original deposit. Players are not permitted to withdraw any of the winnings derived from the promotional offer until they have completed the playthrough. If you were to request a withdrawal before the wagering requirement is fulfilled, you could end up losing your bonus as well as the winnings that you have made using it.
3Game Weighting
Wagering requirements usually have a game weighting scale to go with them, as not all casino games contribute equally to the playthrough. Generally, only slots, keno, and scratch cards contribute 100% to the weighting requirements. It is a good idea to check these things before claiming a bonus.
4Bonus Validity Period
Promotional offers tend to have expiry dates. Depending on the wagering requirements, players could have 24 hours or even a week to complete them. You need to sit down and work out whether or not you will have enough time to fulfil the playthrough before your time runs out.
Popular Software Providers
Software providers are another important thing when choosing which online casino to play at. The software and game portfolio at virtual casinos are usually provided by third parties. There are many software suppliers in the industry, some more renowned than others. Knowing a bit of background history about software providers is an advantage to players. You will know what kind of games, quality, and features to expect.
Here are a few of the software providers you may have stumbled upon as Malaysian players. These are a few of the more popular names in the industry, and you know you are in for a good time with these guys.
Microgaming
These guys claim to have been the first to make the first-ever online casino software back in 1994. They definitely are old players in the industry and have tons of experience in making top-quality games. Microgaming can boast a game library of over 800 games. They also claim the title as providers of the biggest progressive jackpot out there – Mega Moolah. Players can expect only the best when playing at casinos powered by Microgaming.
Play’n GO
Play’n GO has been around since 2005. This provider has produced multiple award-winning slots and has made its way into the leading developers’ ranks. All of the games supplied by Play’n GO boast impeccable graphics and outstanding quality.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is another reputable software provider. Ever since it was established in 2006, Evolution Gaming has been making some truly evolutionary progress in the gambling industry. They dedicate themselves to making peerless live games. The live games are of exceptional quality and are the thing that brings it the reputation as one of the leading software providers. Evolution Gaming strives to please casino enthusiasts, no matter how they choose to connect. So the vast majority of their games are made to adapt to mobile devices.
NetEnt
NetEnt, another leading software provider. They have been powering online casinos since 1996 and boast a game portfolio of over 200 games. They are one of the oldest and most respected providers around. NetEnt’s specialty is providing top-quality slots. But that is not all, they also supply various table games and even live games for players to indulge in.
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play are newcomers in the gambling industry, only joining in the fun in 2015. Despite that fact, they have managed to climb up the software chain and make a name for itself that most online gamblers have heard of. Pragmatic Play has won multiple awards for their outstanding games. Pragmatic Play’s main focus is making games that are compatible with mobile devices. They have even recently started producing quality live dealer games for casino enthusiasts to enjoy.
Top 10 Online Casinos for Malaysian Players
Online casinos are growing rapidly in number. This makes it harder for people to find trustworthy, reliable virtual gambling domains for players to enjoy. There are a number of things that you need to take into account when choosing your online casino – software providers, game library, banking methods, currencies available, customer service, and more. We have selectively hand-picked these top 10 online casinos to suit Malaysian players.
Golden Tiger Casino
The Golden Tiger online casino is a gambling haven that will suit your needs. These guys have been online since 2000 and have been working the last 20 years to perfect their virtual casino. Golden Tiger Casino works solely with Microgaming. This means you are going to enjoy your time at this casino.
Players can enjoy over 500 titles from the software giant, Microgaming. You can indulge in numerous slot games, table games, progressive jackpots, and video poker. Gamblers can be sure of fair gaming thanks to the RNG technology that Microgaming embeds in its game software.
There are also many Malaysian-friendly payment methods available. You can manage your funds using debit or credit cards, e-wallets, and direct bank transfer. Customer service is excellent at this casino. There is a 24/7 live chat available to players at Golden Tiger casino. They also provide a customer support email if you are not feeling particularly chatty.
Videoslots Casino
This online casino has been in the game since 2011. Videoslots Casino provides the ultimate online experience. Players can enjoy over 3000 titles featuring various themes. These guys have their software supplied by numerous leading providers such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, Betsoft, Yggdrasil, iSoftBet, and so on.
As you can tell from the impressive list of providers, you can expect a large variety of games. Casino enthusiasts can find everything – slots, video poker, jackpot games, table games, and even live dealer games that are provided by Evolution Gaming and NetEnt.
There is a large variety of payment methods to choose from. And there are options available to players from Malaysia as well. You can opt to pay using your VISA card, or you could pick one of the e-wallets available to Malaysian gamblers – Neteller, ecoPayz, and more.
Customer support has our approval. Videoslots Casino provides multiple options to resolve any questions – 24/7 live chat, customer support email, and a support telephone number. They also provide a FAQ section with many questions answered.
PlayOJO Casino
PlayOJO are newbies in the gambling industry. They only came online in 2017. Despite that, they have managed to rack up quite the reputation. PlayOJO has collaborated with the top software providers – NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, and more.
If you are a fan of slots, this is the online casino for you. They have over 1800 slot games available to choose from. And they are all with crisp graphics and outstanding quality. These gambling newbies really do know how to impress, don’t they?
They are licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, who are known for their fairness and reliability as an operator. You can be sure of a fair chance with PlayOJO Casino.
Malaysian players have options when it comes to managing their funds. You can use Neteller or your VISA or MasterCard credit/debit card. And if you ever need urgent help, PlayOJO provides a live chat that is available from 06:00 to 0:00 GMT every day. There is also a customer support email if players prefer that option.
Fun Casino
Fun Casino came online in 2014 and has been bringing fun and games to casino enthusiasts ever since. They rocketed skywards in popularity with alarming speed. To guarantee its players endless fun, Fun Casino has joined forces with the top providers in the industry – NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Blueprint, Microgaming, and more.
This virtual casino brings players tons of slots, video slots, jackpot games, table games, slingo, video poker, lottery, and even a live dealer section. Fun Casino has hundreds of titles to choose from.
You can manage your funds using Neteller, ecoPayz, VISA, MasterCard, and more. And as far as customer support is concerned, they have everything – live 24/7 chat, customer support email, and a telephone line.
Fun Casino is also fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the Swedish Gambling Authority, as well as the Malta Gaming Authority, so you need not worry about the legal side of things.
King Billy Casino
King Billy is another newbie on the gambling block. But don’t let that put you off, this king sure does know how to operate an online casino. King Billy Casino was founded in 2017 and licensed by the Government of Curacao.
Players can enjoy over 2,000 games brought to us by leading software providers such as NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, need we go on? The games at King Billy Casino are also compatible with mobile devices. So you can enjoy all the royalties from this casino while on the go.
Payment methods are reliable and swift. Malaysian players can find many banking options to suit them – Neteller, ecoPayz, VISA, MasterCard, and more. There is also the option to manage your funds using cryptocurrencies at this casino.
If you ever find yourself in need of customer support, King Billy has your back. You can opt to use the live chat, customer support email, or telephone line that they provide on their website.
BitStarz Casino
BitStarz Casino is a well-known online casino that has been around since 2014. BitStarz is a dynamic gaming site that offers a wide variety of games provided by renowned software providers such as Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and more.
The game portfolio at BitStarz Casino consists of over 1800 top-quality titles. Players can indulge in slots, table games, progressive games, and even live games. And all of this is accessible from mobile devices. Both the mobile version and the desktop version of this gambling domain run seamlessly well.
The customer support department isn’t lacking either. Their support team is on hand 24/7 via their live chat option, ready to resolve any issues. Players can also contact the support team using social media.
Another thing that made an impression on us was the variety of payment methods at this online casino. Players can even opt to manage their funds using cryptocurrencies.
888Casino
The 888 online casino has been providing prime gambling experience ever since it was established in 1997. These guys have joined forces with the likes of NetEnt, NextGen, Ash Gaming, Playtech, Yggdrasil, Blueprint Gaming, and more. Courtesy of this, players can indulge in hundreds of riveting and fruitful games at 888Casino.
At 888Casino, Malaysian gamblers have a wide variety of choice when it comes to managing their funds. You can opt to use multiple e-wallets, such as AstroPay, WebMoney, Neteller, ecoPayz, and more. If that doesn’t suit you, you can also make deposits and withdrawals using your credit or debit card. There is also an option for bank transfer if that better suits players’ needs.
Customer support is also great at this casino, the only thing we think they could add to improve the situation would be a live chat option. But they have all the rest, a telephone line for players, a customer support email, and a very detailed FAQ section.
Slots Magic
Slots Magic Casino is a relatively new operator in the gambling industry. Despite that, they have been making a rather good name for themselves since they were established in 2014. They hold a license from the Malta Gaming Authority, thus proving itself trustworthy and reliable.
Not only is this online casino trustworthy and reliable, but it is also packed with fun in its rich game library. Thanks to Slots Magic Casino’s collaboration with leading software providers, they really do have only the best to offer.
And what is more, the games that Slots Magic provides, are completely accessible via your mobile devices. Whether that be iOS or Android, you will have no problem indulging in all your favorite games while on the go.
There are many suitable banking methods for players from Malaysia – e-wallets or VISA cards. And customer service is also good. They have a live chat option for registered players, and an email option for unregistered ones.
Luxury Casino
Luxury Casino, a luxury you don’t want to miss out on. This casino operator has been around since 2011 and has been gaining quite the reputation for being a trustworthy and honest website. These guys have licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Luxury Casino is a gamblers paradise. They provide hundreds of slots for casino enthusiasts to enjoy and have a wide variety of table games, video slots, and jackpot games for players to try out. And all of this is available on your smartphone screens as well, whether you be using an iOS or Android mobile phone.
This online gambling domain is powered solely by Microgaming. A renowned software provider, responsible for creating some of the most beloved games that are currently being played.
There are many banking options that would suit Malaysian players. And customer support is great at this online casino. You can opt for using the live chat, or sending the customer service team an email.
Yako Casino
Yako Casino is an online gambling destination you don’t want to pass by. This casino went online in 2015 and has been bringing top-quality gaming experience ever since. Yako Casino is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, both of which have proved to be reliable regulatory bodies.
Yako Online Casino is powered by leading software providers like NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Amatic Industries, Microgaming, and more. By collaborating with the biggest names in the industry, Yako Casino brings players hours of top-quality playtime. You can enjoy slots, table games, jackpot games, and even a live games section.
At Yako Casino gamblers can manage their funds using e-wallets, credit cards, debit cards, or direct bank transfer. The live chat is available 24/7 at Yako online casino. You can also opt to send their support team an email if you prefer. They also provide a telephone line if needed.
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Find the answers of questions people asked so far:
Is there a legal penalty imposed on individuals caught in illegal gambling in Malaysia?
Under Section 4 of the Common Gaming House Act 1953, running a gaming house in Malaysia or occupying such a facility is considered a criminal offense. Individuals caught participating in such activities are penalized with a fine between RM 5,000 and RM 50,000 (roughly between $1,100 and $11,000). In addition to the financial penalty, individuals caught participating in or operating illegal gambling activities may also face jail time of up to three years. Since the laws regulating gambling in Malaysia are quite outdated, there are no specific sections concerning online gambling and punishments for those caught participating in illegal online gambling.
I have seen several places describing the online gambling scene in Malaysia as not legally illegal. Can you explain what that means?
While online gambling activities have not been legalized they are also not illegal per se. In a case from April 2022, Malaysia’s government was seeking to seize real estate properties and bank accounts of 45 people who were deemed to have been participating in online gambling illegally. However, the High Court determined that since the Common Gaming Houses Act does not include anything about online gambling, the government cannot classify this type of gambling activity as illegal. That is why, online gambling in Malaysia is often described as not legally illegal due to the lack of any proper law regulating online gambling activities on the territory of the country.
What payment methods can I use to redeem a bonus if I decide to play at an online casino while in Malaysia?
If you come across an offshore online casino that accepts Malaysian players, then you might be offered a range of different payment options you can use for your casino deposits and withdrawals. The majority of these solutions can be used to redeem any promotion you believe will help you enjoy a more thrilling and rewarding casino experience. Whether you use credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies, you will most likely be able to claim a casino bonus of your choice. That said, we recommend reading the bonus’ full terms and conditions as any excluded payment methods will most likely be listed in the bonus rules section of the casino.