Online gambling has become increasingly popular in Malaysia over the past few years, especially during and after the pandemic. Interestingly, despite promises from former ministers to amend the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 (“CGHA”) to include provisions for online gambling, the status of online gambling in Malaysia is still uncertain. This has left the Malaysian online gambling market in quite a grey area, with no clear regulation to support it. The need to regulate online gambling and keep up with the times is being felt even more. In fact, the president of the Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) has recently suggested revising the 1953 Act to address this issue.
As things stand at the moment, it is prohibited for locals to use foreign sites for gambling, but there’s no mention of how the third of the population who gamble should go about it. This has created a situation where Malaysia has become a hub for online casinos to operate with little tax enforcement. Still, many gamblers actually report that Malaysian online casinos are a great place to enjoy themselves, especially with the live dealer options provided.
The reality of the situation is, there are a lot of illegally operating online gambling sites in Southeast Asia. Yet, it would be unfair to be skeptical of all the Malaysian no deposit bonus casinos, because there are indeed a great number of legitimate sites available.
Choosing The Right Malaysian Casino
It might not be so straightforward to pick a Malaysian casino that is completely legit and fair in its terms and conditions. However, if you understand clearly what you need to look out for, you’d be in a better position to make the right choice. The following are necessary criteria that you should take into consideration before signing up with a Malaysian casino.
Licensed By A Reputable Gambling Authority
When a casino is licensed by a reputable gambling authority, you can put your mind at rest that it is regularly audited to ensure game fairness and that the casino is not a scam. Being licensed is also a guarantee that all your financial data and any other sensitive information is secured with an SSL protocol, which means that all the data you divulge is protected.
Overall Positive Reviews
You should read various reviews to make sure that fellow punters have had a positive experience playing at a particular casino. Of course, reviews should be read critically. One-off complaints might not be worth worrying about but when there are repetitive complaints about the same issue, then that’s probably not worth ignoring.
Expert Casino Guides
There are multiple casino guides that can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to make informed decisions about where to play. They will also give you a better idea as to which casinos are worth trying and which ones you should steer clear of.
Several Payment Methods Accepted
Check out beforehand which payment methods are accepted at the casino you’re eyeing. Although it might sound like an irrelevant point in terms of safety, when a casino is very limited in the payment methods it accepts, you might need to think twice about dealing with it.
Of course, these guidelines should be taken in context. While some red flags may be clear indicators, other signs may not be so straightforward to interpret. So, make sure you conduct your own research and seek advice from reliable sources to make sure that you gamble with peace of mind, while possibly making a good bang for your buck.
What’s In Store For Malaysia’s Online Gambling Scene?
The rapid growth of Malaysia’s online gambling market is becoming increasingly obvious to many, and this is why there’s been more and more pressure to properly regulate it so that operators and players alike can have clear guidelines to follow. The government may also consider ways to tax and generate revenue from online gambling, which could significantly boost the economy.
It will certainly benefit Malaysia to take a fresh look at its current gambling laws and rethink its approach to online gambling. While it remains to be seen how Malaysia’s online gambling industry will evolve in the future, it’s crystal clear that the need for updated regulations will play a crucial role in shaping its growth. After all, the gambling industry has always been a major revenue generator, as gambling has a long history in the trajectory of the human race. It’s high time for Malaysia to ride the wave of this growing industry and ensure that it’s properly regulated for the benefit of all.