Major Gambling Events and Tournaments in Malaysia

Edna Boykin
September 26, 2024

Curious about the legal framework of online gambling in Malaysia? You’re in the right place to get all the answers. The laws and regulations governing the online gambling industry in Malaysia are quite confusing since the current legal status is controversial.

Despite this, the gambling market in Malaysia is still experiencing growth. Many platforms are being launched to operate in Malaysia, offering a wide range of online casino games and gambling events and tournaments in Malaysia, providing players with opportunities to engage in exciting betting activities on sports and other events.

In this article, we will explore the legal landscape of the Malaysian gambling market and the major gambling events and tournaments that have won the hearts of many Malaysian punters.

Malaysian Gambling – Legal Landscapes

Following the regulations of the Betting Act of 1953, sports betting events in Malaysia are illegal. So, any gambler participating in online gambling in Malaysia or operating as a platform to hold sports betting tournaments is essentially breaking the law. However, certain gambling forms are legal in the country—the Racing Act 1961 allows horse race betting, while the Lotteries Act 1952 permits lotteries to operate in the world of legal gambling in Malaysia.

The only land-based destination for online gambling in Malaysia is the Genting Highland Resort, where players can participate in legal gambling in Malaysia. However, even then, Sharia law prohibits Muslims from partaking in online gambling in Malaysia on religious grounds.

Malaysian Land-Based Casino Events

Genting Highlands, also known as the Resorts World Genting, is the prime location in Malaysia where all the thrilling activities take place. The hill station is a must-visit destination for tourists looking for all things exciting, including theme parks and world-class entertainment facilities.

Most land-based gambling events in Malaysia take place at this location, including the World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific (WSOP APAC). WSOP is a series of tournaments for poker in Malaysia that take place semi-annually. It is one of the most popular casino events in Malaysia that provides a platform for Malay gamblers to participate and compete with players from different countries.

One of the most popular Malaysian Online Casinos in Genting Highlands is the Sky Casino. It is the largest online casino in Malaysia, and it operates in a land-based, modern, and elegant gaming space with 400 electronic tables and 3000 slot machines.

Available Online Casino Games and events in Malaysia

Events for casino games and poker in Malaysia have been around for many centuries. Several Malaysian sports betting tournaments regularly take place along with diversified gambling events in Malaysia. You will find no shortage of casino games on sports and esports betting sites and online casinos. Some of the popular gaming titles have been discussed below.

Online Slots – Almost every online casino in Malaysia has a wide range of slot machines with substantial jackpots if you are lucky enough to win. From traditional three-reel slots and modern five-reel video slots to progressive jackpots, there is something for all types of slot enthusiasts.

Fishing Games – Malaysian punters love to play fishing casino games that are easily available during gambling events in Malaysia. They are quick and easy to play with fun and colorful themes so that gamblers can enjoy and make some money from their gaming.

Baccarat – The popular card game comes with straightforward rules and seamless gameplay. Most platforms for online gambling in Malaysia have different variants of baccarat, including Mini Baccarat, Lighting Baccarat, and Dragon Tiger Baccarat.

Roulette – Roulette is a game of chance where players can wager on a small ball landing on a spinning wheel. There are many gambling events in Malaysia surrounding the game of roulette where players can find different variants of the game, including American, European, and French Roulette.

BlackJack – Another strategic card game, blackjack, is easy to play and offers the best odds. It is many gamers’ favorite go-to casino game as it comes with a simple rule where the player’s hand must add up to more than the dealer’s without exceeding 21 or “busting”.

Video Poker – Video Poker in Malaysia is extremely popular, especially with 5 Card Draw and Texas Hold. . . Poker lovers enjoy the game of skill and luck and use different rules depending on the type of poker game they choose to play.

Live Casino – Live casino games are an integral part of online gambling in Malaysia, where players enjoy online gaming with the same thrill of a land-based casino and attractive real dealers who deal with the tables right from live studios. You can play roulette, blackjack, baccarat, or any other table or card games in live versions and participate in legal gambling in Malaysia with licensed platforms.

Available Sports Events to Bet

Football (Soccer) Betting

Football and soccer hold the title of being the most popular sports betting event in Malaysia. The country’s passion for football betting is deep-rooted, which translates into a massive sports betting market with an annual estimated wager of MYR 4 billion (1.2 billion).

Popular football sports betting events in Malaysia include the Malaysian Super League, FIFA, World Cup, the Malaysia Cup, and the English Premier League. Many football betting sites hold prestigious leagues that specifically cater to football fans who love to place wagers on different match outcomes and events within soccer games.

Horse racing

Horse racing also falls among the popular sports betting events in Malaysia, with domestic horse racing such as the Penang Turf Club and the Singapore Turf Club, being the most popular sportsbetting events in Malaysia.

Players can also wager at international tournaments like Hong Kong’s Happy Valley. Successful bettors tend to depend on the advice that tipsters provide while placing wagers or conducting extensive research about their selected horses before registering.

Badminton

Malaysians are passionate about badminton and love to explore different betting types when it comes to betting on badminton. Players can wager on individual matches and tournaments such as the Thomas Cup and the BWF World Championships.

Punters in Malaysia have world-class players including Goh Liu Ying and Lee Chong Wei, who make it a thrilling experience to watch the game and wager with multiple betting options, such as player statistics, set scores, and match winners.

Basketball

Basketball is slowly gaining momentum among Malaysian punters, with local competitions like the Malaysian Pro League and international events like the NBA becoming increasingly popular among sports betting enthusiasts. There are many platforms available online, offering different bet types for the game, including live/in-play betting options. One of the key benefits of online live basketball betting is that players can wager while the game is in progress.

Esports

The esports betting market is an exciting and emerging field for sports punters in Malaysia. The rising popularity of competitive gaming has allowed Malaysians to place wagers on their favorite sports matches and tournaments.

There are plenty of leagues and tournaments that take place on a global level for Malaysian punters such as the League of Legends Championship Series or the Dota Pro Circuit Series. Many online sports betting sites in Malaysia also provide live streaming features so that players can watch the esports events while wagering on their chosen players or teams.

Conclusion

Whether you love to play online casino games like video poker, fishing games, or online slots or simply wager on popular sporting events like football, horse racing, basketball, or esports, the Malaysian gambling industry has everything covered for all types of players.

Online casinos and sports betting platforms make sure that you can access major tournaments and leagues available in the country. Whether online gambling and betting are legal or illegal, Malaysians love to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to wagering on their favorite games or sporting events. We recommend our readers prioritize their mental health and practice responsible gambling to build a healthy relationship with the activity.