‘Internet Reality’ and Gambling in Malaysia Malaysia is one of the most popular destinations for travel enthusiasts. According to statistics, it welcomes an average of 25 million tourists every year. Neighboring Singapore has similar statistics regarding tourist arrivals. What is so tempting about these two States?? A grandiose combination of undisputed natural beauty with rich bio-diversity, multi-ethnic cuisine and luxury spa resorts of both of these places can take you to another paradise. But wait!! This is not everything that the two countries are known for. They are also famous for different types of online gambling such as casino, poker, bingo, etc.
The Internet has provided a platform to many who are living in Singapore as well as Malaysia for placing bets online every day. The practice of Live Casino in Singapore is very common. There are lots of international betting sites that accept customers from these two Asian countries. Most of them even process deposits and withdrawals in ringgits. Legal Aspects of Online Gambling Though gambling in public places is illegal, the legal status of Online Gambling in Malaysia is technically still up in the air. None of the clauses of any law of the state has clearly stated about gambling on the internet. Therefore, the legal status of patronizing gambling site is still a disputed matter. The following three Acts are currently effective in Malaysia that regulates the practice of gambling in the state.
• Betting Act 1953: This Act outlaws all forms of gambling. As it is not yet amended, the modern means of communication between customers and the betting house is not specifically addressed. • Common Gaming Houses Act 1953: This Act criminalizes patronizing a gaming house. But, there are loopholes for gambling sites in the definition of a gaming house. It is unclear whether a website is to be considered a gaming house or not. • Sharia Law: This law prohibits people to gamble. But, as it is Islamic law and therefore nearly 40% of the total population is not bound by this law. In the year 2014, a Remote Gambling Bill was tabled in Singapore Parliament to control the everyday-growing Online Casino in Singapore. It came into effect from that year onwards criminalizing these practices. But in 2016, it was legalized again for local operators in Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club Website. While Wrapping Up Despite legal complications in gambling, online casinos are easy to access from anywhere. As of now, many operators have still been accepting players from Malaysia and Singapore.