Online casinos are illegal in Malaysia under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and the Betting Act 1953, which prohibit all forms of gambling unless operators possess valid government licenses. The Betting Act covers telecommunications and other means of transmitting bets between customers and betting houses, while the Common Gaming Houses Act defines gaming as playing any game of chance or mixed chance and skill for money or money's worth (1). Anyone caught running or participating in illegal betting operations faces fines up to RM200,000 and imprisonment for five years (1).
Malaysia's only legal land-based casino operates at Resorts World Genting in Pahang, established in the 1970s with exclusive licensing from the Ministry of Finance. This privately owned casino denies entry to Muslims and individuals under 21 years of age (1). Legal gambling options also include six licensed lotteries regulated under the Lotteries Act 1952 and horse racing at three racecourses governed by the Racing Act 1961 (1).
"The Common Gaming Houses Act defines gaming as: 'the playing of any game of chance or of mixed chance and skill for money or money's worth'."
Despite legal prohibitions, online gambling has increased significantly in Malaysia, particularly betting on sports like football and badminton through international platforms that accept Malaysian ringgits. Malaysia's dual legal system creates complexity, as Sharia law forbids all gambling for Muslim citizens who comprise over 60 percent of the population (2). In 2020, Malaysia increased penalties for illegal gambling twenty-fold, raising maximum fines from RM5,000 to RM100,000 with minimum six-month jail sentences, while the government considers amending laws to regulate online gambling and collect taxes from currently illegal offshore operations (2).
Source:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8274414/
https://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/consol_act/cgha19531983289/
Last updated: 13-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
