Sports and sports betting is big news in Malaysia, with bettors keen to find the best service. They want the most generous odds, a welcome bonus free bet and lots of sports to gamble on. So, which bookmakers offer this? Our team of sports betting professionals call on their experience to explain the leading betting apps available and how you can create an account today. Read on for more info.
Betting with the right online bookmaker could prove the difference between profit and loss at the end of the year. Small changes make a huge difference to your bottom line, from getting the best odds to taking advantage of ongoing promotions such as cashback deals. It is crucial that you receive the service you deserve.
History of Sports Betting in Malaysia
Online betting in Malaysia is a bit of a grey area, mostly due to the large Muslim population and the country’s dual-system of law. While Malaysia is a secular country with laws applying to the entire population, the Muslim community must also abide by strict Sharia law.
The Malaysian government implemented the Betting Act of 1953 to suppress gambling establishments, referred to as ‘common betting houses’. According to this and the Common Gaming Houses Act of 1953, except for the legal lottery and betting on the horses at racecourses, all other sports betting and gambling in Malaysia is illegal.
Contrasting with both Acts is the fact that Malaysia does indeed have one legal gambling facility. The Resorts World Genting, near Kuala Lumpur, has operated under various names since 1971 and remains the only licensed casino.
- The Malaysian population is 60% Muslim, gambling for them is illegal under Sharia Law
- The Chinese first brought gambling to Malaysian shores
- The biggest poker winner in Malaysia is Richard Yong, who’s amassed over $14,000,000 in live tournaments since 2012
- The penalty for illegal gambling in Malaysia is RM100,000 ($24,500) and 6 months in jail.
There have been a few revisions to the Betting Act, but there’s still nothing specific relating to online gambling. As a result, non-Muslim residents and tourists in the country can participate in online betting. While the Malaysian government doesn’t condone this, it’s not strictly illegal either. Gambling of any form remains wholly illegal for Muslim residents under Sharia law.
It’s illegal to run an online sportsbook in Malaysia. Malaysian bettors make use of many international sportsbooks which allow them to register and wager on the variety of sports available.
FAQ
There are a large number of sports available for Malaysian bettors at sportsbooks, but not all will have the same betting markets. Football is the most popular and widely available, but you also can bet on basketball, cricket, badminton and volleyball.
Good sportsbooks have a customer service team available to assist players when necessary. Try and select a sportsbook with a 24/7 service desk for a quick response.
Mobile betting is increasingly popular, and many sportsbooks have a downloadable mobile app. If an app isn’t available, you can access the sportsbook on your mobile through your web browser.
If you’re signing up to a sportsbook for the first time, you should receive a welcome or deposit bonus. Each sportsbook offers something different, so look around for the best deals before joining.
HOW TO PICK THE BEST MALAYSIA BETTING SITE
When you’re looking for the ideal betting site, there are lots of factors to take into consideration. The more research you make into your candidates, the better, and here we’ll provide some of the top tips to finding your bookmaker!
Study available bookmakers
Reading up on our bookmaker pages will help you to understand what each one is all about – and even discover some names you didn’t know about. We usually review and rank them with our ratings, which might also help you get around.
Compare the list together
Comparing the bookies that have caught your eye will be a good idea. What does one have that the other does not offer? This will make a massive difference when it comes to having them suit you.
Consider your preferences
Your personal preferences also come into play as you can think about what you really want. Do you want live streams? A good football jackpot? Or maybe a choice of two welcome offers.
Use the bookmaker
Usage of an application will help you to experience the usability and betting firsthand. However, before you sign up for anything, it is useful to read up and make sure that everything is legal in this instance.
Mobile Online Betting in Malaysia
Online sports betting is increasingly popular in Malaysia. To make betting more accessible, many of the best betting sites in Malaysia have mobile apps. You can now wager on your favourite sport while on the go, or from the comfort of your home.
The government applies more pressure to crack down on illegal sportsbook operators in Malaysia. It tends to overlook individuals wagering on a site located outside the country, as there’s no specific clause in the Betting Act of 1953 forbidding this.
Betting sites with mobile apps usually offer downloads for both Android and iOS. Some betting sites might not have a dedicated downloadable app, but instead, provide a small-screen compatible version that’s accessible through your standard web browser. This version is also a good option if you prefer not to dedicate space on your device to an app.
Sports betting sites use promotions and bonuses to attract new players. Some may be specific to betting apps in Malaysia, making mobile betting a more attractive prospect than wagering on the desktop site. It’s always worth checking bonuses and offers on various online bookmakers in Malaysia to find the best one for you.
Here are our top 5:
Top 5 Sites for Malaysian Online Betting With the Greatest Bonuses
We’ve previously mentioned how online sportsbooks offer generous bonuses to new users, and Malaysian bookmakers are no exception. Welcome offers or bonuses on your first deposit are a great way to attract new registrations, and an excellent incentive if you’re looking at sportsbook options.
When scouring the online world for betting companies in Malaysia, there are lots of aspects to consider. The range of sports and payment options will play a part in your decision, but the bonuses on offer could be the deciding factor.
It’s essential to look at the terms and conditions attached to the bonuses and not only take them at face value. Some betting sites might have unrealistic wagering requirements. Others may have unreasonable time constraints for using the rewards. It’s always best to be comfortable with the terms of a bonus before registering with the sportsbook.
- 1xbet
- 20bet
- 22bet
- Spin Sports
- 888sport
Top 5 Legal Bookmakers in Malaysia
As per the Betting Act of 1953, it’s illegal to operate a Malaysian betting website, either physically or online. Non-Muslim residents can register with those international online sportsbooks that include Malaysia in their accepted list of countries.
Any local sportsbooks based outside Malaysian borders is still a risk. These are illegal operations that aren’t regulated and could at any time, shut down and disappear with your money. It’s also advisable that any internationally-owned online sportsbook doesn’t have a physical presence in Malaysia.
| Available Betting features | Accumulators, Cashout, Bet building, live streams |
|---|---|
|
Popular gambling activities |
Sports betting, casinos, horse racing |
|
Key Information |
This country does not regulate betting as it is illegal, but the practice is still prevalent within the population of Malaysia
|
|
Most popular types of odds |
Fractional |
|
Advantages |
There are no licenses given out but many bookmakers still offer betting in Ringgit, with no taxes.
|
|
Disadvantages |
It can be risky betting in Malaysia as it stands because it is not currently illegal.
|
The online industry continues to be unregulated in Malaysia, with nothing specific in the Betting Act restricting players. As a result, thousands of non-Muslim Malaysians wager safely on sports daily.
If you’re unsure about the legality of a site in Malaysia, take a look at its gambling licence. Some of the most acceptable licenses are those issued by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming and HM Government of Gibraltar. The sportsbook operator should display this information on the website or mobile app.
These are our pick of the top 5 legal bookmakers in Malaysia:
- 888sports
- Bet365
- 1xBet
- Melbet
- 22bet
Recommended Payment Methods for Malaysian Bettors
Like their European and American counterparts, Malaysian bettors have many payment options at sportsbooks. Worldwide, Mastercard and Visa are probably two of the most popular options, but, this isn’t necessarily the case in Malaysia.
While online gambling with international sportsbooks isn’t illegal, Malaysian bettors might prefer an anonymous payment method. E-wallets are the best option for this and possibly one of the reasons they’re a preferred payment option in Malaysia.
Move money effortlessly from your account to your betting account. Withdraw cash just as quickly. Betting sites give you a range of options and the latest online security measures offer protection. You’ll find a selection of the most used payment options online at Malaysian betting companies below.
| Bookmaker | VISA | MasterCard | Skrill | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bet365 |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |
|
888Sports |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |
|
1xbet |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 80 000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |
MYR 20 / 2000 |