Gambling in Malaysian Culture: History and Traditions

Edna Boykin
September 16, 2024

Southeast Asia has a beautiful, vibrant country called Malaysia, much of which moves around the festivities of its diverse population. The country is full of culture and life, from its unique street art to mouthwatering, delectable cuisine.

Gambling has always been a major part of Malaysian history, with its unique blend of technology and culture. It serves as more than a means of entertainment; it helps build social bonds and strengthen community cohesion.

This guide will present the history of Malaysian gambling, the different gambling traditions prevalent in Malaysian communities, and a few current modern gambling trends in the country.

Historical Context of Malaysian Gambling

The historical context of gambling in Malaysia goes back several centuries when traditional gambling games in Malaysia were a part of its culture for many years. Traditional gambling forms included activities and games like horse racing, card games, and cock fighting, much of which was enjoyed by the locals as a social pastime and entertainment.

Then came the colonial period when gambling experienced new influences and changes brought about by the British colonization. This led to the emergence of European-style establishments and gambling regulation.

After Malaysia gained independence from British rule in the 1950s, the Betting Act of 1953 was introduced to control and regulate gambling activities while legalizing and licensing certain forms of gambling, such as lotteries and horse racing.

Later, it was the non-Muslims, such as Chinese and Indian immigrants, who made their strong influence on the gambling sector in Malaysia with higher gambling expenditures and probabilities than other ethnic groups.

During the 1960s, the Genting Highlands Resort was launched in Kuala Lumpur as the only legal gambling destination. It quickly became popular as a major hub for gambling activities and a tourist attraction.

What is the Cultural Significance of Gambling

Based on the cultural gambling practices in Malaysia, gambling plays a complex role in the country since all forms of gambling are against the religious laws of Islam. Technically speaking, a majority of people do not have the right to gamble online because the Sharia law considers it to be a sin. The predominant religion of the country, Islam, prohibits gambling, which has led to different levels of social condemnation and stigma among the citizens. However, there are other ethnic groups, such as the Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities, who have different views on gambling.

Malaysia’s multiethnic population includes about 63% Malay, 25% Chinese, and 12% Indians, who prefer gambling through licensed and legitimate online platforms. These communities are highly present in Malaysian gambling destinations, as they enjoy the activity and consider it the easiest way to earn additional income. They also prefer to play games of luck or chance to socialize and indulge in the most profitable, fun, and acceptable leisure activity.

However, for the large majority who find gambling to be nearly a leisure activity, for others, it can become quite problematic. Problem gambling is a common side-effect that damages and disrupts family, personal, and recreational pursuits. Therefore, practicing responsible gambling is a must for all communities participating in this leisure activity.

Gambling Traditions Prevalent in Different Communities

Gambling is seen differently across the many communities that reside in Malaysia. We have studied the gambling traditions for major communities in Malaysia that participate in Gambling in the section below

Chinese Community

The Chinese community in Malaysia loves to intertwine celebrations and interactions and strongly believes in fortune or luck. They consider gambling a social activity and not merely about losing or winning money. During festivities and holidays such as the Chinese New Year, Malaysia witnesses a surge in gambling activities among Chinese immigrants since it is their auspicious time of the year. Activities like playing lotteries and Mahjong are regular during these events.

Indian Community

As mentioned before, the Indian community has a considerable influence on the Malaysian gambling market. In some parts of Malaysia, Indians love to play card games, including Teen Patti, poker, and blackjack, during festivals like Diwali. The holiday is auspicious, stemming from the legend of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati engaging in a dice game.

Malay Community

According to the gambling culture in Malaysia, the country has unique regulations with a separate Sharia law enforced for Muslim gamblers. Gambling is punishable and illegal according to the law if a Muslim devotee engages in any online casino or online sportsbook in Malaysia or harbors money earned through gambling activities.

Being a Muslim-majority country, gambling in Malaysia is illegal with one exception – non-Muslim Malaysians and tourists who are aged over 18 can gamble on legal and licensed platforms. However, they must note that casino games, horse racing, and lotteries are legal forms of gambling. Players can wager on cricket, football, rugby, and other sports only if they choose licensed online gambling and online Sportsbooks Malaysia.

Modern Gambling Trends in Malaysia

Research published its report that forecasted a rise in CAGR by almost 9.3% between 2024 and 2030. On the other hand, Statista projected the online gambling market in Malaysia to reach a revenue of US$26.19 million in 2024 and is expected to have an annual growth rate of 6.94% CAGR between 2024 and 2027.

Both the records show a considerable rise of online gambling in Malaysia which inevitably reflects the increase in the number of gambling platforms. The online gambling market in Malaysia is experiencing an overall surge in popularity driven by modern gambling trends, a tech-savvy population, and rising access to high-speed Internet. As the industry expands with the best online casinos in Malaysia, we can only expect to see more changes in terms of technology as these platforms embrace artificial intelligence, AR/VR, cryptocurrencies, e-sports betting, and other innovations within this space.

Conclusion

Gambling has always been a broad concept, taking different forms, whether we are talking about Malaysian gambling history or how it is considered on a global level. Punting on lotteries, horse racing, and traditional gambling games in Malaysia are the most common legal gambling forms that have been in the country for many years. Players can also participate in sports betting and wager on cricket, football, and other events considering that they choose licensed online sportsbooks in Malaysia.

However, the integral part lies in how they have been perceived community-wise across different ethnic groups. No matter where you are in the world, whether you participate in traditional or modern funds of gambling, responsible gambling is a must. Even with integrated advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, gamblers should move towards more responsible and secure gambling practices.

FAQs

What are some traditional gambling games in Malaysia?

Some traditional gambling games in Malaysia are horse racing, lotteries, and casino games like Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and more.

How has gambling in Malaysia evolved?

Gambling has changed its form over the years in Malaysia from ancient origins of gaming sites on small scales to a grown market with an increasing number of gamblers across Malaysian communities.

Is online gambling legal in Malaysia?

According to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and the Betting Act 1953, unlicensed and illegal casinos cannot operate in Malaysia.

How does Malaysian culture influence gambling practices?

Gambling practices in Malaysia differ across communities – the predominant religion, Islam, forbids gambling, while other communities, like Chinese and Indians, engage in legal gambling.

What are the risks associated with gambling in Malaysia?

Over-gambling of any form can lead to the development of mental health problems and gambling addiction. This could also affect a player’s personal, financial, and emotional life.