Malaysia Online Casinos: Gambling Laws and Regulations in Malaysia
The Malaysian gambling law states that lotteries, casino games, and horse racing are legal (at a licensed casino), while sports betting and online gambling are illegal. But don’t get discouraged just yet, because there are multiple ways in which you can play slot games in Malaysia (or other types of online gambling).
Gambling in Malaysia is legal only with a license or a permit given by the authorities. The ones in charge are the Ministry of Finance and the Unit Kawalan Perjudian. There are only six legal lotteries, and one licensed land-based casino.
There are also three places with horse race courses and betting, regulated by the Racing Act 1961 (Revised in 1992).
Since Islam is the predominant religion of Malaysia (61% of the population), the country recognizes the Sharia Law. Under this law, all forms of gambling are forbidden. People of other religions are not bound by this law.
Out of the total population of 32 million, those that are not Islamic are about 12 million. And this is definitely more than the population of many countries.
How To Play at Online Casinos in Malaysia?
The current gambling laws of the country were written many years ago before the internet even existed (the Lotteries Act 1952 was adopted in 1981 and revised in 1983). While the law mentions that hosting a gambling operation is forbidden, it’s not very clear if a gambling website is included or not.
Most of the time, the old law is overlooked and many people in Malaysia are gambling every day. Many online casinos accept Malay players, and some even allow them to make payments in ringgit.
Malaysians that are not Muslim usually gamble at online casinos without any worries. We recommend only playing at verified casinos.
Be aware!
There are also plenty of illegal lotteries, and estimates have shown that they generate 60% more revenue than all of the legal operators combined. Those that run an illegal betting house or are caught playing in one will get up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to RM 200,000 ($44,000).
Top Rated Malaysian Online Casinos
At the top of this page, you can find our best picks for Malaysian casino sites and sort them out based on various factors. You can choose those with free bonuses, those available in the Malay language, and those that allow payments in ringgit. Just tick the desired options.
We value our visitors’ opinions and feedback and allow them to give ratings and reviews on any of the presented casinos. Our rating system is based on medals, the black one being the worst while the gold medal is the best.
Use the “Medal” filter in order to only see top-rated casinos, as follows:
The filter on the right side allows you to sort the list of casinos by name, release date, reviews, ratings, or popularity. This way you can easily see the most appreciated Malaysian casinos based on the feedback given by real people.
Best Welcome Bonuses for Online Casinos in Malaysia
Casinos are fighting hard to get the attention of new players, and they usually do this through big welcome bonuses. Luckily, Malaysians that play at online casinos have plenty of options to choose from.
At the top of the page, you will usually find the best bonuses in the “Most Popular” and “Top-Rated” sections. Look at the “New Players Bonus” column and search for the offers that seem the most appealing to you.
How To Join a Malaysian Online Casino?
- Look at the list at the top of the page and use the filters to find the best offers
- Click the “Play” button on the right side to access the desired website
- Follow the sign-up process and make your first deposit to benefit from the welcome bonus
Keep in mind:
You won’t receive that bonus immediately as money available for withdrawal. You will have to play them multiple times according to the websites’ wagering requirements.
Popular Malaysia Casino Games
Malaysia has a rich history and vibrant culture, and this is also reflected in the gambling activities preferred by the residents. Tourists are also attracted by these games, as they are not as popular in their country (or not even played at all).
The casino games preferred by Malaysian people are:
- Sic Bo (also known as Tai Sai, Dai Siu, Big and Small, or Hi-Lo)
- Mini Dice
- Three Pictures
- Three Card Poker
- Zodiac Wheel
- Pontoon
- French Boule
But they are also playing the classic casino games found in most countries, such as:
- Blackjack
- Slots
- Craps
- Roulette
- Texas Hold’em Poker
Payment Methods Used at Malaysia Casinos
Since Malaysian residents can only play at online casinos, they have a multitude of payment options to choose from. These include:
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX)
- E-wallets (Paypal, Skrill, Neteller)
- Payment services (Payz, EntroPay, and others)
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others)
How To Choose a Malaysian Casino?
If you want to play at an online casino that accepts Malaysian players, then here are some things to keep in mind:
- Safety - the casino should have a gambling license;
- Security - it should have robust protocols when it comes to the protection of your personal information and banking details;
- Language - if the website has a Malay language version that’s great, and if it also offers customer support in your language, that’s even better. You will usually find this feature at online casinos from nearby countries (but not only);
- Payment methods - you should have a wide variety of options to choose from, for both deposits and withdrawals;
- Bonuses and promotions - from the first deposit bonus to the VIP loyalty program, a reputable online casino will always incentivize players with great offers;
- Game variety - whether you like slots, blackjack, or poker, you should have a wide variety of games from various developers to choose from;
Land-based Casinos in Malaysia
There is only one major physical casino in Malaysia and a few clubs for horse racing and betting.
Casino de Genting
It is located northeast of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, in the Genting Highlands Resort Pahang Darul Makmur. This is a huge center for entertainment, and it’s very popular among tourists and locals.
The place includes hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, theme parks, games, shows, events, and much more. The casino room is enormous and includes over 3,000 slot machines, more than 400 electronic table games, and 30 tables with blackjack, Tai sai, roulette, and boule.
Besides this huge gambling paradise, you can find small local horse racing clubs where you can also bet. These are the:
- Selangor Turf Club
- Penang Turf Club
- Perak Turf Club
