Poker is only legal in Malaysia when offered by licensed establishments with permits granted by the Unit Kawalan Perjudian of the Ministry of Finance. There is only one legal land-based casino in Malaysia, privately owned and located in Genting Highlands, which offers over 400 types of electronic table games and 30 tables with games such as blackjack. This casino is open 24 hours a day but denies entry to Muslims and those under 21 years of age (1).
Three major legal frameworks dictate gambling laws in Malaysia: the Betting Act 1953, the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, and Shariah law. The Common Gaming Houses Act defines gaming as playing any game of chance or mixed chance and skill for money or money's worth. Anyone caught running a betting house faces penalties of up to RM200,000 fine and 5 years in jail (1).
"Until now, gambling in Malaysia is deemed legal only if a license or permit is granted by the Unit Kawalan Perjudian (Betting Control Unit) of the Ministry of Finance. Games involving an element of chance are predominantly controlled by the Malaysian Common Gaming Houses Act 1953."
Online poker operates in a legal grey area in Malaysia, as the Common Gaming Houses Act has not been updated to include explicit provisions defining or regulating online gambling. All forms of sports betting and online gambling are technically illegal, though offshore sites are not blocked and players typically access them without prosecution. The Malaysian government is actively reviewing gaming legislation to provide a more comprehensive framework for regulating online gambling activities (2).
Source:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8274414/
https://oneasia.legal/en/5498
Last updated: 04-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
