Malaysia is a country situated in the Southeast Asia. The country’s capital is Kuala Lumpur while the seat of the federal government is in Putrajaya. The territory can be roughly divided into two areas; the southern part of the east Malay Peninsula and the northern part of Kalimantan Barat. The Federation of Malaya achieved its independence on the 31st of August in the year 1957. This blog will be your companion to understanding Malaysian gambling, A Deep Dive into the History of Sports Betting and The Legal Structure of betting sites in Malaysia.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
An Overview of the Malaysian Laws on Gambling
A Historical Overview
Gambling started in Malaysia in the 19th century by Chinese traders and merchants who introduced gambling in the country. At the beginning of the activity, it was not so structured but, as time passed by, it became quite popular. In the mid twentieth century, the Malaysian government started to control the gambling activities in order to eliminate the unlawful operations and for equitable dealing. Key legislative milestones include:
- 1952: Lotteries Act and therefore lotteries
- 1953: Betting Act of governing the operations of betting houses.
- 1961: hence the Racing Act, which legalised horse racing
- 1970s: Legalisation of the first casino
Regulatory Agencies of Betting Sites in Malaysia
The main organization regulating gambling activities in Malaysia is the Unit Kawalan Perjudian (Betting Control Unit) of the Ministry of Finance. This agency is involved with the licensing and regulation of legal gambling activities and the implementation of laws.
Other regulatory bodies include:
- Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for online gambling.
- Police Department involving in the unlawful gambling business.
- Bet Types that are Not Allowed and those that are Allowed in Malaysia
Things You Can Wager On
- Lotteries: According to the Lotteries Act of the year 1952, they are legal and there are six licensed operators.
- Horse Racing: The racing act of 1961 legalizing the betting business with three main racecourses.
- Casino Games: Legal but only allowed in one casino which is the Resorts World Genting.
Things That You Cannot Place A Bet On
- Sports Betting: According to the Betting Act of 1953 such activities are prohibited.
- Online Gambling: Although the playing on international sites is technically prohibited, many of them welcome Malaysian players.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
It is forbidden to conduct gambling business without a license from the Unit Kawalan Perjudian. The types of licenses and their respective fees include:
- Lottery License: Fee structure according to the turnover
- Casino License: This is because there are costs to be incurred right from the beginning and then every year after that.
- Horse Racing License: Fees established by the annual turnover of the company.
Taxes on Gambling
Any winnings from gambling are taxed and the rates may differ with the type of gambling that was undertaken. For instance:
- Lotteries: This is charged at a standard rate of 10%.
- Casino Earnings: Taxes regressive to the extent that the first dollar earned is taxed at 10%, the second dollar at 15%, and the third dollar at 25%, and so on, up to the 35th dollar, which is also taxed at 35%.
- Horse Racing Bets: This was sold at $50 with a tax of 8% applied to it.
Popularity of Betting Sites in Malaysia
These are mainly international betting sites, which, despite the rules, admit Malaysian users. Some of the most popular include:
Dafabet
Dafabet: The sportsbook of Dafabet is also very impressive and the live casino is quite diverse, with games that range from esports and virtual sports so every bettor will be able to find something that he or she will like.
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188Bet
188Bet: Good offer of sports and, of course, live streaming that will be convenient for those who like placing bets on the go and using in-play betting options. It also has one of the simplest interfaces to use making the entire betting process a breeze.
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22Bet
22Bet: 22Bet received positive reviews for fast payments, customer support service that is available 24/7 along with a large choice of games and sporting events. Thus, it can be considered as a credible resource that concentrates on customer support and is an ideal service for many users.
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Chronological Development of Malaysian Sports
Major Achievements
Malaysian athletes have made their mark on the international stage in various sports:
- 2010: Malaysia clinches the AFF Suzuki Cup in Football.
- 2009 & 2011: Southeast Asian Games countries’ gold medals.
- 1976 & 1980: AFC Asian Cup.
Iconic Sports Stars
- Lee Chong Wei: Three silver medals in the olympics in the form of badminton.
- Nicol David: Englishsquash player who is an eight time world open champion.
- Mokhtar Dahari: Footballer fondly referred to as “Supermokh. ”
Gambling laws in Surrounding Countries
Singapore
- Legalized Casino Gambling: Out of all the casinos in Singapore the two largest and most popular are Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
- Online Gambling: Allowed but controlled by the law of Remote Gambling Act.
Thailand
- Illegal Gambling: All forms of gambling are prohibited that doesn’t include state lottery and horse racing.
- Enforcement: Some of the measures that could be put in place include very severe penalties for persons and companies that engage in unlawful gambling.
Indonesia
- Strict Prohibition: There is none of the forms of gambling legalized in the country and gambling is totally prohibited.
- Enforcement: These include-time in jail and having to pay a lot of money as a fine.
Conclusion
In order to be able to understand the betting sites in Malaysia and the challenges that come with it one has to have a background knowledge on the history of the country, the laws and the bodies that govern it. As for the legal gambling, it is rather scarce and strictly controlled by the state. For those interested in engaging in Malaysian sports betting, international sites can be used, although it is essential to remember the legal situation of the region.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Malaysia
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