Sports Betting

Is Sports Betting Legal in Malaysia? Here Is the Answer!

You must have been asking about is sports betting legal in Malaysia or not. Well, it is a popular type of gambling that many people enjoy placing bets on their favorite teams and players. 

However, the legality of sports betting in this country is actually not clear-cut, as there are different laws and regulations. But don’t worry because we will give the right answer to you in this article. So you can play it legal soon! 

Before deciding to place a bet, it is normal if you ask is sports betting legal in Malaysia. Well, to answer this question depends on several factors, such as the type of sports betting, the location of the players, and the source of the betting service. In general, there are two main types of sports betting: online sports betting and offline sports betting. 

1. The Regulation of Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting is a gambling activity to place bets on sports events through the internet, using websites or mobile apps. According to Malaysian law, online sports betting is illegal, as it falls under the category of remote gambling, which is prohibited by the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and the Betting Act 1953. 

Of course, these acts make it an offense to operate or use any common gaming house or betting house. The penalty for violating these acts start from a fine up to MYR 200,000 to imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both. 

2. The Regulation of Offline Sports Betting

Meanwhile, to answer is sports betting legal in Malaysia, offline sports betting is a gambling activity to place bets on sports events through physical venues, such as casinos, bookmakers, or lottery outlets. We already know that online sports betting is illegal in Malaysia, but when it comes to offline, it is legal. However, as long as it is conducted by licensed operators and within authorized reasons. 

The only licensed operator of sports betting Malaysia is the Berjaya Sports Toto Berhad or known as BToto. They operate the Sports Toto, which uses the betting system that provides bets on a variety of sports like football, basketball, rugby, boxing, etc. The Sports Toto itself is regulated by the Racing (Totalisator Board) Act 1961. It gives Btoto the exclusive right to conduct sports betting in Malaysia. 

But to keep in mind, the Sports Toto is not available in all states of Malaysia. Because some states have their own laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict any gambling activities. For instance, the States of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis enacted the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment. It banned all types of gambling based on Islamic law. 

Therefore, the Sports Toto is only available in 11 out of the 13 states of Malaysia, excluding Kelantan and Terengganu. 

After knowing the answer is sports betting legal in Malaysia and you are still interested to take part in, you have two main options. Yes, go to a casino or use a gambling website. We will explain them to you below. 

Go to A Casino

As you know the answer is sports betting legal in Malaysia, you can play it by going to a casino. There is only one casino in this country that is licensed and authorized to operate gambling activities. It is Genting Casino located in the Genting Highlands that is a resort area in Pahang state. 

Moreover, Genting Casino is part of the Genting Group, a multinational conglomerate that owns and operates various businesses. This casino offers a variety of gambling options, such as slot machines, table games, electronic games, and also sports betting. 

The sports betting section of this casino is called SkyCasino. It is a modern and sophisticated venue that uses a large LED screen which displays live sports events from around the world. 

The SkyCasino allows all visitors to place bets on various sports events, such as football, basketball, horse racing, tennis, golf, and much more. In addition this section also offers a VIP lounge, a restaurant, and a bar for all visitors’ convenience and comfort. 

However, keep in mind that going to the Genting Casino may not be the most affordable for many people. You need to travel to the Genting Highlands, which is about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. 

Moreover, this casino has a minimum age requirement of 21 years old. You are also prohibited to wear dress codes, such as shorts, slippers, and sunglasses. In addition, you need to pay MYR 15 for non Malaysian locals and MYR 50 for Malaysian locals to enter Genting Casino. 

Use A Gambling Website

Yes, we already explained to you is sports betting legal in Malaysia, and any online sports betting activities are illegal. Therefore, you have to be careful and cautious when selecting a gambling website to use. You also need to make sure that they are reputable and reliable. Some of gambling websites that meet our criteria and offer legal sports betting in Malaysia are:

1. FW8: Best Sports Betting in Malaysia Bonus up to MYR 30

Since 2023, FW8 provides exclusive services to all players over the world, especially for Malaysia local players. This is one of the best sports betting websites that is certified by iTech Labs, eCOGRA, and BMM. They are also licensed by PAGCOR, making them safe, secure, and fair. 

Not only sports, you can also play other casino games like slot machines and live casino games. It is very useful figuring out is sports betting legal in Malaysia, as you can find the best site to play, right?

2. AW8 – Best E Wallet Online Casino Malaysia Bonus 208%

AW8 is another gambling site that offers sports betting services and is licensed by PAGCOR. They are also powered by many reputable softwares, such as NetEnt, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, NextSpin, and much more. You can deposit MYR 50 from convenience payment methods. 

3. UEA8 – Malaysia Sports Betting Online Bonus 100%

As you know the answer is sports betting legal in Malaysia, you can play at UEA8. This is an online casino with exclusive benefits for live casino, slot machines, and even sports betting. You can play a thousand entertainments with the lowest bet and a big chance of winning extra jackpots!

Final Thoughts

Sports betting is an exciting way to support your favorite sports events and win some money. However, you need to know is sports betting legal in Malaysia before deciding to place a bet. As we have explained in this article, you are allowed to play it offline at Genting Casino. 

If you want to play online, you need to be careful as it is actually an illegal activity. Make sure you find a gambling website that is licensed and certified by many reputable authorities (such as PAGCOR, MGA, UKGC, Gaming Curacao, etc)

Admin

Garuda Casino is the Malaysian independent online gaming authority, providing trusted online casino news, guides, reviews and information.

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