How to Play Poker in Malaysia?

Play BestGames

4.2

Play

Most FunCasino

4.45

Play

Get TopBonuses

4.5

Play

Ever since the first arrival of the British back in the 1770s and onwards, the gambling industry has slowly but surely expanded. The British first brought horse racing and card games to Malaysia, paving the road for today's popularity of various casino games and an expanding casino industry.

And with a good reason, as their total revenue was $633 million in 2023, ranking them 21st in the world! If you wish to enjoy a poker game today, you're in luck with several options available.

1. Online Casinos

The little caveat, currently, is that no online casinos are operating from Malaysian soil, meaning that players from Malaysia who wish to play poker online have to resort to offshore solutions. Offshore casinos are not affected by Malaysian rules and laws and offer a great alternative to the Resorts World Genting.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by too many online options, but referring to a list of curated and trusted online casinos in Malaysia, players can enjoy the benefits of online gaming safely. Playing poker at any time and place, from your phone, and interacting with other players is part of the charm and why so many Malaysian players enjoy playing poker online.

2. In-Person Events

If playing online is different from your thing, Malaysia offers a legal alternative. Driving to the mountainside for about an hour from Kuala Lumpur, you'll find the Resorts World Genting, which is the only and largest casino in Malaysia.

Ever since the Betting Act of 1953, and being a predominantly Muslim country, Malaysia has had tight control over its gambling industry. The law specifically bans and prevents any form of gambling, with no loopholes, and the Resorts World Genting is the only place for safe and regulated gambling activities.

There's no shortage of fun games to enjoy, from baccarat, blackjack, poker, Tai Sai, roulette, and others. Even the house edge is favorable towards players, making the Resorts World Genting a popular destination for tourists.

While the current laws may not seem favorable towards the gambling industry, Malaysia could make more investments and changes in the future, as the industry is proven to be profitable.

3. Private Games

After the British came and introduced some of the first forms of gambling in Malaysia, the practice was ingrained into the local culture. Games played with friends as a pastime, mostly card games, became part of Malaysia in the early 19th century when the first Chinese merchants brought their influence alongside trade routes.

Playing poker at a private party, inside someone's home, or recreational is possible, and only becomes illegal if there is money involved and is exchanged between players.

But recreational and friendly games, where the object of the game is not money related, are legal, and a favorite pastime for many Malaysian and foreign players.

Even with such a widespread gambling culture, Malaysian players treat gambling as plain fun and enjoy gambling as a hobby and a pastime activity.

4. Poker Tournaments

The only poker tournaments in Malaysia are held in Resorts World Genting, but it's still a great way to up your game from casual to pro. Coming to Malaysia as a tourist and wishing to have fun at the resort with some games is all great, but it's important to note that Malaysia offers something for all kinds of players.

Recreational, beginner, and professional poker games are happening, with the Poker Dream Malaysia happening from Jan 25th to Feb 5th. And the professional poker scene is not lacking its stars and rising talents. From Junzhong Loo to Wai Kin Yong, these are just some of the most famous players you can see at the Resorts World Genting.

5. Using Crypto for Poker

While we did mention the option for playing online poker on offshore gambling sites, players can opt for another layer of protection and convenience by using crypto for online gambling means. Crypto can be used or exchanged for currency and used in online poker and other games.

As crypto functions on blockchain technology, it's not possible to track or control it directly, and players can retain anonymity while simultaneously enjoying playing online in a safe manner.

Online casinos are accepting the most famous cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, but some are even expanding the list, where some research can give you more options that you can use.