Plenty of Online Casinos to Choose From
As in many countries where gambling itself is strictly controlled, like the United Kingdom or Singapore, online casinos in Malaysia aren’t exactly loved by the Malaysian government. Laws in the country make running such sites illegal. It’s likely also true that laws restricting gambling for Muslims would also apply online, though we couldn’t find any evidence of individuals being prosecuted for playing at casinos in Malaysia online. Similarly, enforcement of the rules prohibiting the transfer of funds to and from foreign gaming sites is spotty at best.
As a result, there are many online casinos in Malaysia that are happy to offer their services to residents, and in turn, there are plenty of players who take advantage of these opportunities. Some sites even offer play or banking in Malaysian Ringgit, showing just how important this market is to them. That’s not to say that every company has remained in the country, but its status as a “grey market” has left many big players happy to continue operating here.
In addition, you’ll find plenty of software options when you look through the various sites that offer real money online casino games in Malaysia. Just a few of the well-known and trustworthy companies that power Malaysian gambling sites include:
• Microgaming
• Playtech
• Betsoft
• IGT
• NetEnt
Our top trusted online casinos for Malaysian players are listed above. To deposit you will need a credit or debit card, an e-wallet such as Neteller or Skrill, or even Bitcoin.
Popular Online Casino Games in Malaysia
Online casinos are known to provide a wealth of titles from which players can choose. The variety offers a number of distinct and fun betting options that allow you to play for real money.
Malaysia limits many forms of gambling via its legislation and overall stance on games of chance, so players there may not be as familiar with the games available in our recommended online casinos. Here’s a list of some of the most popular online games you can find at our trusted online Malaysia casinos:
• Slots
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Video Poker
• Baccarat
And this is just the beginning. There are hundreds of online table games available to players in Malaysia. Seasoned players will no doubt find it easy to jump right in and start playing. Newcomers, meanwhile, will find helpful how-to guides within the online casinos to get started with new or unfamiliar titles. Playing at our trusted sites means you’re cared for as a customer, and that includes learning more about the games available to you.
Another added benefit of online casinos is live dealer games. These feature a real, professional dealer running the game via a live stream, which you can access directly from the online casino. Live dealer games can accommodate a large number of players, so you’ll never need to worry about getting a spot. Having a real dealer adds to the fun and makes the experience feel like a real casino game, even though you’re playing online. Our top online casinos for Malaysian players offer these live titles in addition to digital versions of popular games.
Choosing a Trustworthy Online Casino in Malaysia
Malaysia’s gambling laws are tough to navigate, and as a player you always want to be certain you’re playing on a safe and trusted online casino site.
First, note that we only recommend online casinos that we have researched and deemed to be the most trustworthy and secure. Even though Malaysia law prohibits gambling, online casino operators are allowed to offer their games to Malaysian players. These sites are governed by other jurisdictions with strict laws in place that regulate online gaming and ensure that you have a secure experience when playing at an online casino.
But feeling safe and secure as a player goes beyond laws and regulations (though they are a key factor). As a player, you want to be treated respectfully and cared for. The online casinos we recommend for Malaysia are top-notch in this regard. They offer world-class customer service through phone, email, and live chat. Our recommended online casinos also provide a number of payment methods that make it simple and easy for you to get started. Plus, your data is protected with encryption best practices used by top banking institutions and online retailers.
Of course, you can always find helpful information about an online casino by navigating to the operator’s website and looking for their licensing page.
We want you to rest assured that playing at any Malaysia online casino we recommend is a trustworthy and safe experience, which is why we make sure that all the casinos on our list meet our rigorous standards.
Club Vegas 999 Casino is a great Asian casino site option for players in the region, and beyond actually, if it’s available in your jurisdiction.
Online Gaming Expansion Seems Unlikely for Malaysia
At the moment, Malaysia has one massive resort that is an excellent location for gamblers to visit and will likely impress even tourists who have seen other large-scale gambling operations around the world. However, while the Genting Highlands has been enormously successful, it’s unlikely to inspire the government to approve more resorts: one seems to be enough for this country, and probably will be for some time to come. Online casinos are likely to be lumped in with this general reluctance to legalize as well.
That’s not to say that the current facilities are in any danger of a backlash. Sure, there have been some concerns raised about the heavy emphasis on gaming there, perhaps at the detriment of the more family-friendly aspects of the resort, but it is still largely seen as a point of pride for Malaysians, and its importance means it should continue to attract plenty of visitors for decades to come.
When it comes to Malaysia online casinos, we wouldn’t expect to see any loosening of the current restrictions. But given that gambling is surprisingly prevalent throughout the country, there may not be a strong move to seriously crack down on play, either. That could potentially change if moneyed interests (say, Genting, or perhaps the lottery corporations) lobby strongly in an effort to muscle out the competition. But for now, we expect the status quo to hold: the nation will continue to be seen as a grey market to most operators, and as such, they’ll continue to operate there and offer players a variety of trustworthy online casino destinations.
Genting Owns Malaysia’s Only Land-Based Gaming Resort
To be clear, opportunities to gamble at brick-and-mortar venues are somewhat limited in Malaysia. As in many Islamic nations, like Jordan, the official stance is largely anti-gambling, with laws dating back to the 1950s that ban virtually all forms of gaming. However, enforcement of these restrictions is most often relegated to land-based betting houses, which are strictly outlawed by the nation. Online gaming may be technically prohibited, but the Malaysian government is more interested in cracking down on land-based gambling.
But there are some exceptions for land-based betting that are worthy of note, and the most obvious is the Genting Highlands. Also known as Resorts World Genting, this resort is nestled in the Titiwangsa Mountains, about an hour outside of Kuala Lumpur. While you can drive to the facility, you can also travel there in a more spectacular way. A cable car, more than 2 miles long, can take you right into the hills where the resort is situated and was once the fastest gondola lift in the world.
The Genting Highlands was established in 1965 after businessman Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong came up with the idea while visiting the area on a trip. Over the next few years, approval was obtained from state government officials, and by 1971, the road to the land was completed and the first hotel was able to open there.
The resort is now the home to the only legal casino in the country: the Casino de Genting. There are actually three themed casinos within the facility, the largest being the Monte Carlo casino, with the Hollywood and StarWorld casinos also being well worth a look. Slots can be found throughout the various locations, along with table games like roulette, baccarat, and pai gow.
Interestingly, Malaysia has something of a hybrid system for allowing admission to these gambling floors. While most casinos in the world are open to all, and some (particularly in Asia) are “foreigners only,” here you’ll find that anyone over 21 can play – unless they are both Malaysian and Muslim, a combination which makes you welcome only in the rest of the resort, and not anywhere where you can place bets.
It’s worth noting that this incredible facility has a lot more than just casinos. There is a large indoor/outdoor theme park known as “Fun at the Peak,” and five hotels are located here, including the world’s largest: the First World Hotel. There are four venues for hosting music and other acts, a convention center, as well as several nightclubs and restaurants.
Outside of Genting Highlands, there are few legal betting options in the country. The Malayan Racing Association does oversee four racetracks, though only three are in the country (the Singapore Turf Club is also included): the Penang Turf Club, the Perak Turf Club, and the Selangor Turf Club. Not only can you watch horse racing at these tracks, but you can also bet on the races, similar to how you can at most tracks around the world. Lotteries are also legal, including the 4-Digits (or 4D) game that is run in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Illegal dens are also prevalent in various parts of the country, though the government does try to crack down on these locations from time to time. Most of these appear to be small-scale operations, though there have been accusations that larger organizations may run many such venues. In any case, playing at these locations cannot be recommended, especially considering the frequent raids. Online casinos remain the safer option when compared to these illegal facilities.
