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While we’ve already stated in one of our previous articles as a disadvantage that gambling is generally illegal in Malaysia, online gambling IS legal in Malaysia. What is illegal is for Muslims to participate in gambling activities themselves and unlicensed betting shops.
Malaysians can place bets as long as they’re not Muslim. In fact, they have several options for betting, from going to Genting Casino, the largest casino operator in Malaysia, to playing through a live online casino in Malaysia or registering in an overseas online betting site.
The Malaysian government issues licenses to gambling operators to tax them. The government also does not tax any gambler’s winnings and only focuses on the operators themselves. Right now, the government is mulling also to legalise online gambling in Malaysia to be able to tax online casino operators, but many of the online casinos right now are operating from the Philippines, India, and Thailand.
Malaysia’s Betting Laws
Malaysia currently has the following betting laws or laws affecting the betting scene in the country:
Betting Act 1953
The Betting Act 1953 aims to suppress gambling and betting in public spaces and set up illegal gambling houses. The Act bans all kinds of gambling unless the betting house has a license to operate and covers telecommunications and other methods of transmitting bets between the customer and the betting house.
The Betting Act 1953 penalises anyone caught operating an illegal betting house or is caught in one with an RM200 000 fine and five years of jail time.
Common Gaming Houses Act 1953
The Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 is more inclusive than the Betting Act. This Act defines gaming as “the playing of any game of chance or of mixed chance and skill for money or money’s worth.” Under the Act, a police officer can arrest anyone found in a common gaming house or in a public place without a warrant and seize all instruments used for gaming.
The Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 penalises anyone caught gambling a maximum of RM100 000 and a minimum of 6 months of jail time. One case investigated under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 is one of Kuching cops busting an online gambling syndicate operating in a terraced house.
Sharia Law
Islam is currently the predominant religion in Malaysia, which means that Malaysia recognises both the Sharia Law and Sharia courts. Gambling is against Sharia norms, and any Muslim caught gambling can be fined 3000 ringgit, serve one year of jail time, or both.
Non-Muslims are not bound by the Sharia Law and will not be penalised according to it when gambling with legal betting operators.
Current Political Climate on Gambling
Kuala Lumpur is somewhat a strange city in that it once banned video games and arcades, including casino games like poker, but gambling is now legal in the country. A gambling group named Berjaya purchased a 70% share hold in the Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd for 525 million ringgit and now claims that the government issued a license to promote sports gambling in the country.
Despite gambling’s legality, Muslim groups protest it and speak out their views on social media channels.
The legality of Football Betting in Malaysia
Football betting in Malaysia is legal for everyone unless they’re Muslim. Bettors only need to look for a licensed casino in Malaysia or look for an online sportsbook to bet on.
Once Malaysian sports bettors find a casino or sports betting site, they can start betting on football. Beginners might have a hard time betting on sports, and they can learn more about it by reading some of our sports betting guides, like our guide for beginners and our basic soccer betting tips article.
Basically, bettors must follow the following:
- Know football inside out
- Don’t always bet on the favourite
- Don’t stick to only one sportsbook
- Bet on fewer selections
- Understand the different betting markets
- Consider betting on less obvious markets
The top online sportsbooks in Malaysia right now are m8bet, cmdbet, and more. Register now in a Malaysia online casino to start betting on different football events. If you’re still unsure on how to look for a sports betting site, see this article on choosing a sports betting site in Malaysia.
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