Gambling Venues in Malaysia 2023 – Casinos, Sports Betting, & Lotteries


Image credit: Pexels

Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, there are several gambling venues in Malaysia that cater to the non-Muslims who live there. In fact, there has been a long history of gambling, even before the country gained independence from the British Empire in 1963. 

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Believed to have been brought into the country by Chinese merchants in the 19th century, both illegal and legal forms of gambling remain popular. Today, gambling activities such as casino games, horse racing, and lotteries are legal in Malaysia.

In this article, we will be looking at legal gambling options in Malaysia and how you can satisfy your inner gambler!

Casinos

Image credit: RW Genting 

There is only one legal land-based casino in Malaysia that was set up in the 1970s. Located in Pahang in an integrated resort property only a short drive from Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands Resort was the brainchild of the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong who included hotels, theme parks, a casino, and many other attractions in this project. 

Since its establishment by the Genting Group, there have been many upgrades to keep up with the times. On the property, there are now two main casinos for avid gamblers:

Genting Casino

Genting Casino

Monday to Sunday from 10AM to 2AM

Perhaps retained due to historical and sentimental reasons, the Genting Casino was the first gaming space to have opened at the resort. The management has kept the space updated over the years, making it a hot favorite among visitors. Still considered one of Asia's premier gambling spaces, it features a variety of classic games such as slot machines and electronic table games.

Sky Casino

Sky Casino is the updated sleek and modern gaming space with more than 200,000 square feet of gaming space. With an enchanted forest theme, gamblers can enjoy two floors of gaming space that features an extensive game selection of more than 3,000 gaming machines and 400 gaming tables.

Gambling OptionsGamesMinimum Bet
Table GamesBlackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Pontoon, Three Pictures, Mini Dice, Progressive Texas Hold’em, Commission Free Baccarat , Zodiac WheelMinimum bet ranges from RM 10 to 100 depending on the table and game
Gaming MachinesElectronic table games, Slot machines, Progressive jackpotsMinimum bet ranges from 2 to 10 cents

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If you are a high roller or VIP, you will also gain access to the premium gaming spaces:

Casino TypeLocationBenefitsEntry Rules
Crockfords Platinum Club and Crockfords Private Gaming AreasLocated on level 3 Sky Avenue6 themed rooms: Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Ruby, Amethyst, EmeraldEntry for Platinum members only
Sly Casino Gold ClubLocated at level 3 Sky AvenueExcellent dining options, 24/7 personal hostsEntry limited to Gold members and above only

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    Horse Racing Venues in Malaysia

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Besides casino games, horse racing betting has been around in Malaysia since the 1800s, dating back to the time when British traders came to the country. Although horse racing bets once had to be placed physically at the betting station, bets can now be placed through an online platform known as EQ Link or over the phone via their dedicated operator assisted call centers. 

    Here are the nation’s Turf Clubs:

    Selangor Turf Club

    Selangor Turf Club

    Monday to Friday, 8:30AM–5:30PM

    Selangor Turf Club of STC hosts about 30 races a year with the season starting in January and ending in December. If you are visiting in person, be sure to take advantage of their great dining options while watching the races. They also have a riding school, veterinary theme, and cricket ground.

    Penang Turf Club

    Penang Turf Club

    Monday to Friday 8.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 5.30pm; Weekends Only Opens During Race Days; Closed on Public Holidays

    The country’s oldest Turf Club, the Penang Turf Club plays many roles besides hosting horse races. Visitors can learn to ride a horse from their equestrian club, play some gold on the course, hold events, or even visit the museum that showcases historical exhibits of the club.

    Perak Turf Club

    Perak Turf Club

    Monday – Friday : 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday : 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

    With 26 race days, Perak Turf Club is more than just a horse racing track. Besides boasting the rarity of being able to host a 1,100 meter straight race, they have live broadcasts of race meetings from other local turf clubs and even of overseas races. Facilities include an equestrian training center, equine swimming pool, training track, and equine hospital.

    Lotteries in Malaysia

    Image credit: Sports TOTO Malaysia 

    If you are bored of the casino games and horse racing bets, Malaysia also has several lotteries in Malaysia where you can turn a small investment into a big payout. With each ticket costing as little as RM 1, punters stand to make hundreds or even millions. 

    Magnum 4D

    Magnum Berhad was the first private company that gained the license to promote, operate, and manage 4D games in Malaysia. Their draw dates occur every Wednesday, Saturdays, and Sundays with special selected draws on Tuesdays. Here are some of the games they offer:

    4DClassicLogo

    Magnum 4D Classic

    • The original 4D lottery game
    • Easy to play
    • Remains on of the most popular games
    • Classic payout structure
    4DJackpotLogo

    Magnum 4D Jackpot

    • 4D lottery with a twist
    • Each bet consists of two 4D numbers
    • Both 4D numbers must match to win
    • Top prize worth millions
    MagnumLifeLogo

    Magnum Life

    • Newest game
    • Payout of RM 1,000 daily for 20 years

    Sports Toto

    Claiming to be the largest lottery operator in Malaysia, Sports Toto draws are conducted evert Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here is a brief look at some of the games they have:

    4d

    Toto 4D

    • Similar if not the same as the original 4D game
    • Classic payout structure
    4Dzodiac

    Toto 4D Zodiac

    • 4D game with a twist
    • Bet on one 4D number and a Chinese zodiac
    • If both matches, payout is greater than the classic game
    5D

    Toto 5D

    • Instead of 4 numbers, punters bet on 5 numbers
    6d

    Toto 6D

    • Instead of 4 numbers, punters bet on 6 numbers

    DaMaCai

    Established in 1988, DaMaCai now uses their net dividends to fund the advancements and developments of local schools and learning institutions that do not receive sufficient aid from the community or government. Draws are conducted every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Some of their games include:

    Super 1 + 3D

    Super 1+3D

    • Similar to the classic 4D game
    • The twist is that punters select the prize category they bet on
    3d

    3D

    • Similar to the classic 4D game, but punters only bet on a set of 3 numbers
    3d jackpot

    3D Jackpot

    • Select 3 sets of 3D numbers
    • Results are based on classic 3D results
    • Higher payout

    Online Gambling Options in Malaysia

    As the popularity of online gambling activities become more popular across the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysians too have been looking at online gambling sites. Here is a brief look at some of the options available:

    Online Casinos

    Online casinos are just like any other land-based casino. In fact, punters can even enjoy a wider variety of table games, slots, and other games such as Keno or fishing games. Online casino operators also offer generous promotions and bonuses, allowing gamblers to stretch their bankroll while increasing their odds of winning. 

    ten188 new logo

    Ten188

    • Wide variety of casino games
    • Excellent reputation
    • Good customer support
    100% Welcome Bonus for slot games up to RM 288
    22bet

    22Bet

    • Wide range of games available
    • Live casino games available
    • Generous promos
    100% Welcome Bonus up to RM1500
    bk8-logo

    BK8

    • Wide selection of live casino games and slots
    • Great bonuses and promotions
    • Superb deals for VIP players
    150% Match Deposit Bonus up to RM 300

    Online Sportsbooks and Bookmakers

    Online sports betting in Malaysia is very popular as Malaysians tend to be very passionate about their favorite sports games especially with football and badminton. Since Malaysia only has horse racing betting available, many Malaysian punters turn to online bookmakers that offer betting on a wide range of different sports, teams, and events. 

    ten188 new logo

    Ten 188

    • One stop hub for sports betting
    • Wide range of betting markets
    • Partner with CMD 368, MaxBet, and SBOBet
    100% sportsbook bonus
    AW8 - Logo Darker

    AW8

    • Betting on a wide range of sports including e-sports
    • Live betting made simple
    • Statistics and match history available
    100% sports welcome bonus
    1xBet - Logo Dark

    1xBet

    • One of the most reputable online betting sites
    • More than 400,000 active users
    • Offers betting on major European and US leagues
    100% deposit match up to MYR 500

    Casino & Sportsbook Agents

    Casino and sportsbook agents are parties who partner with online casinos and bookies to offer the same services to punters. However, they offer the advantage of being able to provide a personalized experience to each player.

    Since they partner with multiple online operators, members can also expect a plethora of different gambling games, slots, sports betting, and more. Some of the best agents today include:

    bet888win-the-logo

    Bet888win

    • Wide variety of casino games, lotteries, sports
    • More than 10 years of experience in the industry
    • Uses latest security and encryption technology
    Opening Account Bonus – 15% Extra Credits
    acebet99 logo dark

    Acebet99

    • Caters to players in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand
    • Wide range of live casino games, slots, sports, etc
    • Excellent customer support
    Opening Account Bonus – 15% Bonus Credits
    vbet7777-logo

    Vbet77

    • Touted as a reliable and lucrative site
    • Diverse range of games to fit various budgets and preferences
    • Hosts daily and weekly live events
    Opening Account Bonus – 15% First Deposit Bonus
    responsible

    Gambling Laws in Malaysia

    As Malaysia is a Muslim country, all Muslims are forbidden from participating in any forms of gambling per the Sharia Law. The non-Muslims are governed by two other major legal frameworks: The Betting Act 1953 and the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. 

    Per these regulations, all forms of gambling are prohibited except by licensed operators. This means that placing bets with Resorts World Genting casinos, any of the turf clubs, and any of the three lottery operators are considered legal.

    But what about online gambling options? Malaysia currently does not have any specific online gambling laws. In fact, a Malaysian High Court has dismissed the government’s bid to punish individuals and companies allegedly involved in online gambling as the meaning of “online gambling” was not defined under the Common Gaming Houses Act. 

    Ultimately, this means that until the country makes amendments to the current gambling laws in Malaysia, online casino games and online sports betting are not considered illegal.

    conclusion

    Conclusion

    Malaysia is a beautiful country with great culture and especially wonderful food. If you are an avid gambler in the country, take a trip to visit one of South East Asia’s best casinos, visit the local Turf Clubs for the experience, and bet on some lotteries. If all else fails, online casinos and sportsbooks are always an option.

    FAQs

    What is the minimum age to enter a casino?

    The minimum age to enter the casino is 21 years of age with proof of identification.

    What is the minimum gambling age in Malaysia?

    The minimum gambling age in Malaysia is 21 years old.

    Where can I find a list of all the casinos in Malaysia?

    The only land-based casinos in Malaysia are all located in the integrated resort property known as Resorts World Genting. For a list of all the online casinos recommended for Malaysian players, check out our guide on the Best Online Casinos in Malaysia 2023.