Malaysia Online Casino
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country and, as such, has strict laws on gambling. As a matter of fact, gambling is illegal in this Asian country. Yet, despite this fact, there are many Malaysians who love to gamble. Instead of going to illegal land-based casinos, more and more residents of Malaysia opt for online casinos registered abroad. At some of them, they are even allowed to make their transactions and wagers in the Malaysian ringgit (RM).
Apart from Muslims, who are covered by the Sharia Law prohibiting all gambling activities, in Malaysia also live minorities including Indians and Chinese. They are allowed to bet on lotteries and horse races. Due to restrictions, illegal gambling is on the rise. It is estimated that Malaysians spend on illegal sports betting approximately 20 billion ringgits on an annual basis. Non-Muslim citizens can also play their favourite casino games at the only legal land-based Casino de Genting located in Genting Highlands, Pahang.
Besides sports betting and horse races, which are by far the most popular forms of entertainment, Malaysian players like to play traditional card and table games as well as slot machines. When it comes to providers, at offshore gambling sites, players from this Asian country can choose from virtual and live games developed by some of the most reputable companies in the industry.
Gambling Laws in Malaysia
Recent reports confirm that illegal gambling in Malaysia flourishes. The media around the world reported that the police took down an illegal online gambling site in August 2019 with 100 people behind it sent to jail. The website run from a facility near Kuala Lumpur by Chinese offered over 200 casino games. Since the beginning of 2019, Malaysian authorities have arrested almost 15,000 persons and seized almost $1 million in raids.
At the moment of writing this article, Malaysia uses the outdated laws from the 1950s and 1960s. Naturally, they do not address online gambling which was not introduced at the time they were created. According to the Betting Act 1953, if a Malaysian citizen is caught gambling in a betting house, they can face a 200,000 RM fine and end up in jail. The Common Gaming House Act 1952 targets those who operate gaming and players caught in a gaming house. The penalty includes a 5,000 RM fine and around six months in jail.
The good news is that Malaysian laws typically do not target players. However, those participating in online gambling should be cautious and hide their identity and IP addresses to stay off the radar.
Software Developers Available in Malaysian Markets
Asia Gaming – One of the most reputable Asian providers of live casino solutions. Founded in 2012, the company offers Asia-facing casino games available at tables hosted by real-life dealers. They provide online casinos with a unique platform called AG Gaming offering five lobbies that feature a wide range of games. Players can try their luck at Live Blackjack, Live Roulette, Baccarat, Dragon Tiger, Bull Bull, Sic Bo tables and more. All games are streamed in real time providing players with a realistic casino experience.
Betsoft – one of the leading software developers in the online gambling industry. Established in 2006, the Malta-based company has become popular worldwide thanks to their 3D slot machines offering players a cinematic gaming experience. Apart from highly exciting slot machines including those paying progressive jackpots, Betsoft also creates virtual table games including Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and Video Poker variants, Craps and scratch cards.
Pragmatic Play – another Malta-based software provider whose products are available at Malaysia-facing online casinos. Players can choose from classic, video and jackpot slots, table games, scratch cards and Video Poker variations. In January 2019, Pragmatic Play announced that they were set to launch a live casino. Today, players can join Baccarat, Blackjack and Speed Roulette tables. The action at the tables is streamed from the state-of-the-art studio located in Bucharest, Romania. The studio is home to a total of 43 tables at the time of writing this article. All casino games powered by Pragmatic Play are available across desktop and mobile devices.
The Most Popular Choices in Malaysia Online Casinos
Malaysian players love to take part in both skill and luck-based casino games along with betting on various sports and horse races. Here are some of the most popular online casino games in this Asian country:
Slots – This type of casino games is popular all over the world and Malaysia is no exception. Thanks to the variety of software developers available at Malaysia-facing foreign casinos, players can choose from a plethora of slot machines offering potentially lucrative bonus features and big payouts.
Blackjack – A classic casino game available at virtual and live tables. The main goal of the game is to create a hand totalling 21 or get as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. At Malaysia online casinos, you can also play game variants offering side bets that can pay bigger prizes.
Baccarat – A card game particularly popular with Asian high-rolling players. By joining live dealer tables offering Baccarat, you can enjoy a genuine Macau-like atmosphere and play the game at high stakes. Several game variants are on offer including Speed Baccarat with rounds completed within 25 or 27 seconds.
Online Casinos Payment Methods Available in Malaysia
Since online gambling is still in the grey area, it is advisable to keep a low profile while enjoying this form of entertainment. That means you should avoid using credit or debit cards as the government may track your online payments.
Skrill – one of the most popular online payment solutions when it comes to online gambling. Previously known as MoneyBookers, the service was launched back in 2001. It allows players to use a so-called e-wallet as a link between their credit or debit card or bank account. Skrill can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. In order to use it, one should set up an account on the Skrill website. The best part of using Skrill for online casino payments and withdrawals is that all transactions are carried out externally, meaning that you don’t have to reveal your sensitive data to the operator.
Bank Transfer – this is a slower and less secure banking option, but still convenient enough when you are a Malaysian citizen. To use bank transfer for deposits or withdrawals, you need to choose it as a preferred banking method and select the bank you have an account with from the list. Keep in mind that sometimes transactions via bank transfer may come with a certain fee.
Malaysia Online Casino Bonuses
Once you find an online casino accepting Malaysian players and register with it, you can make use of a welcome bonus based on your first deposit. This bonus typically doubles your bankroll, but in some cases, your deposit can be tripled as well. Some gambling establishments offer sign up bonuses over the first two, three or four deposits which can come in handy when you are new to this form of entertainment. Always check the terms and conditions before you claim a bonus to learn all the requirements you need to meet. If you can, register only with those casinos that accept your local currency to avoid conversion fees.
As an existing player, you will be eligible to use different promotions, get reload bonuses and cashbacks or take part in tournaments on slot machines or card games. Loyalty programmes are another way of rewarding players, so check them out and learn how to benefit from comp points.