The main topic in this article is about are sports bet activities legal in Malaysia?
But before we move further in this, we want to see about the gambling in Malaysia first.
What is about gambling in Malaysia?
It appears that Chinese traders “introduced” gambling to Malaysia in the 19th century.
In Malaysia, gambling in both legal and illegal forms is quite common.
Some forms of gambling, including lotteries, casino games, and horse racing, are legal.
But online betting and all types of sports betting are prohibited.
Only when a license or authorization has been issued by the government is gambling acceptable.
In addition to these, there are a number of illegal lottery operations; a statistic survey in 2018.
“Malaysia’s illegal lottery business produced roughly 60% more money than the six licensed operators combined.”
Online gambling has become more popular in Malaysia over the past several years even its illegal.
Football betting (particularly English football, the Premier League) and badminton betting are two extremely popular sports bet.
Online gaming chances have become more accessible and cheaper, thanks to technological improvements.
Despite being against the law, overseas betting sites welcome Malaysian customers and handle payments and withdrawals in ringgits.
These are all about the fact of gambling in Malaysia
Gambling laws in Malaysia
Shariah law, the Common Gaming Houses Act of 1953, and Betting Act of 1953 are three main legal systems in Malaysia.
The most significant of these is the Betting Act of 1953 (with several more revisions).
This Act covers telecommunications and other methods of sending bets between clients.
And also covers betting establishments and outlaws all kinds of gambling unless the business has a legal license to operate.
According this Act, anyone found operating/being a part of a betting house shall be subject to RM200,000 fine and five years in prison.
The Betting Act does not include all forms of gaming like the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (with additional revisions).
Gaming defined as “the playing any game of chance or mixed chance and skill for money/ money’s worth” in the Common Gaming Houses Act.
The Finance Minister of Malaysia announced an increase in penalties for both illicit gamblers and gaming businesses in the country’s 2020 budget.
Minimum jail sentence of six months added.
While the maximum fine for individuals who bet unlawfully increases 20-fold, from RM5000 to RM100,000.
Malaysia also recognizes Shariah law and Shariah courts because Islam is the predominant religion.
Non-Malays (mainly Chinese and Indians) are bound by the secular legal system, not Shariah. Shariah law prohibits all forms of gambling.
Are Sports Bet Activities Legal In Malaysia?
The answer is: no online sports bet is legal in Malaysia but Genting Highlands is the famous physical betting place in Malaysia.
The most reputable Asian-licensed online casinos that openly allow Malaysian players are W88 and Mansion.
It is safer to choose a well-known international name while looking for a trustworthy online casino in Malaysia.
W88
- The biggest operator in Asia, W88, is now the English Premier League sponsor of Crystal Palace.
- W88 is a full-service casino that offers practically every kind of gaming.
- Enabling Malaysians to play live casino games, slot machines, online poker, and sports bet.
- This company is renowned for treating its loyal customers to lavish vacations and pricey presents.
- They also provide bonuses to new players at MYR.
Stake (Crypto Casino)
- When watching the English Premier League, you may see the Stake logo because they are sponsor of the Watford Football Club.
- Stake is a bitcoin casino and betting site; however, they also accept deposits made with credit cards and Google Pay/Apple Pay.
- When checked, they do actually welcome Malaysian gamers.
- Does Stake reward gamers from Malaysia with bonuses?
- For new players, Stake offers a 100% bonus up to $1000; to claim it, simply sign up on the Stake homepage and make your first deposit.
- Watford will pay out your money if they score the game’s first goal if you bet on them to win the APL match.
- Sounds too good to be true, but you can verify that Watford consistently has great odds.
- And that it’s not impossible for them to score first against major clubs from this point.
- They rarely have the advantage, so this promotion might pay off.
Mansion (M88)
- On our top 3 list, Mansion is the oldest casino.
- They introduced M88 a few years ago with an emphasis on the Asian market.
- They accept players from Malaysia and have the Malaysian flag on their homepage, just as W88.
- What games are available on M88?
- Another casino that provides a complete solution, this one has every benefit a player could need.
- Numerous live dealer games, slot machines, sportsbooks, even keno and fishing are available.
- Although I might have included more casinos on this list, only recommend the top online casinos that welcome players from Malaysia.
- All of these brands have licenses, however none of them available in Malaysia.
- If these operators cheat players, you can report them to the International Association of Gambling Regulators.
Will You Get Arrested for Playing Sports Bet in Malaysia?
- The likelihood is high that you can legally place mobile sports bet app from Malaysia.
- The authorities don’t waste time seeking for online gamblers.
- The same way that they don’t investigate international sportsbooks.
- A legal regulation would be made for a nation that hasn’t yet arrested anyone for placing an internet wager.
- The only way could ever get arrested for illegal gambling in this nation is if you went to a secret casino or bookmaker.
- Malaysia has seized illegal gaming establishments and jailed all of the participants.
- However, unlike practically every other nation, it doesn’t commit police resources to arresting mobile gamblers.
- As a result, whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you should be able to make online bets here.
Always Research Malaysian Sports Bet Sites Before Depositing
- Malaysia might not have mobile sportsbooks with licenses.
- However, this does not mean that you must choose a bad bookmaker.
- Simply conducting research will help you select a trustworthy bookmaker.
- Reviews are the ideal location to start this investigation.
- Reviews of betting sites go over key elements of online sportsbooks.
- Including markets, bonuses, odds, customer support, and banking options.
- Several them additionally focus on a bookmaker’s standing for friendly customer service and quick pay-outs.
- You can start visiting one or more potential sportsbooks yourself once you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities.
- You can think about contacting customer service to check how kind or unfriendly they are.
- The way a business treats its customers is a tell-tale measure of how good the business is.
- When you have positive support experiences, you can have more faith in a betting site.
Conclusion
The problem of gambling in Islamic countries like Malaysia is full of difficulties, unlike in more secular countries.
This is due to Malaysia’s unique dual legal system.
That is, the Syariah Court for Muslims (more than half of the total population) who strongly oppose gambling.
And the less strict secular law for gambling.
First, there needs to be broader debate as to whether gambling should be banned altogether in Malaysia.
Or whether it can be liberalized and tightly regulated (at least in certain forms).
Such discussions require the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including policy makers, scholars, healthcare professionals, and the gaming industry.
At the very least, existing legislation should be updated to include online gambling in various symptoms.
Second, more needs to be done to minimize gambling-related harm, and it may be best to start with a public health approach such as:
- Banning and enforcement of gambling advertising and promotions (both printed and online media)
- And increase in in-store advertising where this type of advertising focuses on particular topic, person, or product to address controversy.
- Defending topics against other ads.
Third, Malaysia and its family’s problem gambler treatment services need to be extended to the public sector as well.
Gambling is illegal in Malaysia and Shariah law prohibits it , it’s best to consider as mental health issue that adversely affects public health.
Health providers and health policy makers need to work together to provide psychological and psychiatric care in communities and hospitals.
This should include a rehab center for addicts.
