Malaysia has cemented itself as an amazing tourist destination for a number of reasons. Between its beautiful sights, modern metropolises like Kuala Lumpur, amazing culture, food, nightlife, and other amazing attractions, entertainment seekers in Malaysia have a lot to enjoy there.
For gamers, whether that means video games or iGaming, there are plenty of options available in these sectors too. For one, Malaysia offers a diverse blend of locally made video games and internationally renowned titles. However, when it comes to iGaming platforms, the country is a lot more stunted due to its strict laws against gambling.
So, what to choose and what to play when in Malaysia? Well, it’s probably better to understand some of the complexities in the country around gambling first before we delve into that question. To that end, iGaming platforms have attracted a fair bit of attention in Malaysia. However, this is almost ironic since the country features a blend of civil and Islamic law that places strict restrictions on gambling.
In fact, online gambling is technically illegal in the country. In Malaysia, all forms of gambling are actually prohibited for Muslims under Sharia law. On the other hand, even non-Muslims face restrictions in accessing local online gambling sites. However, for anyone who wants to explore online casinos in Malaysia, there are plenty of platforms that Malaysian players can still access, as crypto writer Michael Graw explains in his review.
He also cautions players to only play at internationally licensed sites that have been reviewed for elements like their security features, payment options, and bonuses. This ensures that Malaysian players seeking an online gambling platform don’t inadvertently end up at a scam site.
With many of these international iGaming options accepting cryptocurrency, they fortunately also provide other perks like anonymous play, instant withdrawals, and a wide gaming selection. This also ensures that Malaysian players can bypass local laws and tedious registration processes by accessing offshore websites. As these sites don’t fall under Malaysian law, they can usually be accessed without any hassle.
On the other hand, for those who may be more into traditional video games, the path is more straightforward. In recent years, Malaysia has developed a reputation for creating its own video games. Games like No Straight Roads were developed by the Kuala Lumpur-based studio Metronomik—earning rave reviews internationally. Another great title is Simulacra, which was developed by Kaigan Games.
Action-adventure games like these have become very popular among Malaysian players and can be freely accessed by anyone in the country, including tourists. They feature open-world tournaments and colourful graphics and great storytelling that add to all the enjoyment.
Players there also love immersive gameplay. This has fed into the growing demand for international titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends, two games that feature a large number of Malaysian players. Some have even become world-renowned, like Eric Sia Sze Pin who plays League of Legends professionally and has amassed over $24,000 in prize money from it as a result. Meanwhile, by 2017, Malaysian players like Wong “ChuaN” Hock Chuan had already earned over $500,000 from playing Dota 2 professionally.
Malaysia is also one of the many Southeast Asian countries where eSports is taken seriously. Because of this, the country has hosted major eSports tournaments like the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 Dota 2 which featured a $1 million prize pool and was eventually won by the Chinese team known as Azure Ray.
Between these iGaming options and the wealth of traditional video game options in Malaysia, tourists and locals both have plenty of gaming choices available to them. While iGamers should be cautious about which sites they play on, traditional gamers can enjoy everything from locally developed games to international eSports tournaments and a huge range of famous gaming titles to choose from.
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide which path offers them the best mix of fun and security while enjoying their time in Malaysia.