Online Betting in Malaysia Guide – Compare the Best MY Sportsbooks
Sports betting legislation in Malaysia is limited due to the lack of regulation within the country. Some forms of gambling, such as horse racing, lotteries, and casino games, are legal, whereas sports betting is not. However, online betting in Malaysia is possible via offshore betting sites.
These offshore sites do not need to conform to Malaysian gambling laws and, as a result, are the best alternatives for Malaysian residents to bet online. We’ve listed the best Malaysian betting sites and have included information on how they work, how to create an account, the sports on offer, and the types of bonuses and promotions you can claim.
List of the Best Sports Betting Sites in Malaysia
The list below includes the best Malaysian betting sites on the market. These sites are all based offshore, so they are fully accessible to bettors in Malaysia.
- BK8 – Best overall Malaysia betting site
- 12Play – Best betting site in Malaysia for esports betting
- We88 – Very competitive Malaysia sports betting lines
- Gembet – More than 25 sports to bet on and massive market coverage
- AW8 – Great modern design and easy-to-claim promotions
- uwin33 – Best sportsbook in Malaysia for soccer betting
- 77W – Best mobile betting app for Malaysia betting
- Eube – Huge range of prop bets
- Uea8 – Seamless wallet transfers and payment options
- Me88 – Award-winning customer support and a hefty welcome bonus
- Lucky Block – Best crypto-based Malaysia betting site
- Mega Dice – Instant sign-up process and withdrawals
- 1xbet – One of the oldest and most reputable Malaysia betting sites
Comparing Sportsbooks in Malaysia
As online betting in Malaysia continues to grow, the range of sportsbooks now accessible to residents of the countries follows suit. The table below includes an overview of the top-rated sites with information on the promotions you can claim.
| Sportsbook | Best For | Sign-Up Bonus |
| BK8 | Strong betting lines Dynamic design Multiple odds format | 100% up to MYR 300 |
| 12Play | Soccer coverage Large welcome bonus Parlay bets | 100% up to MYR 588 |
| We88 | Live betting Easy to use sportsbook Tennis betting | 100% up to MYR 500 |
| Gembet | Largest welcome bonus Great customer support Wide range of payment options | 250% up to SGD 1,000 |
| AW8 | Competitive betting odds Reload bonuses Five sports providers | 150% up to MYR 500 |
| Uwin33 | Esports betting NBA betting Mobile access | 50% up to SGD 688 |
| 77W | Easy to claim welcome offer Great design Mobile access | 100% up to MYR 250 |
| EUBet | Premier League betting 24/7 customer service VIP section | 138% up to MYR 299 |
| Uea8 | Multiple sports providers Alternative handicap markets Multiple layouts | 100% up to MYR 300 |
| Me88 | Live betting Clean design Easy to use bet slip | 168% up to SGD 1000 |
| Lucky Block | Instant sign up Crypto deposits Instant withdrawals | 200% up to MYR 50,000 |
| Mega Dice | European sports betting Multiple design options Live streaming | 200% up to 1 BTC |
| 1xBet | Badminton betting Live scores Great customer support | 100% up to SGD 160 |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Malaysia?
The gambling legislation in Malaysia is confusing, with laws outlined for different aspects and many contradicting each other. Sports betting, for the most part, is illegal in the country. This includes both land-based and online variations but does not include horse racing, which is accessible on both platforms.
However, although Malaysia is predominantly Muslim, sports betting is still prevalent. Sports betting laws state that bookmakers cannot work within the country, meaning players cannot access these sites. This legislation does not include offshore betting sites that accept Malaysian-based players.
Offshore online betting in Malaysia is growing rapidly. Not only is the number of sites now accepting players increasing, but also the quality of the product on offer.
Outside of sports betting in Malaysia, there are several regulated gambling sectors. These include six legal lotteries, one land-based casino, and three horse racing tracks, which have betting facilities for racing at each track.
What are the Malaysia Sports Betting Laws?
The legal framework in Malaysia is split into three sectors:
- The Betting Act 1953 – The Betting Act has been around since 1953 but has seen multiple amendments. The act states that gambling is illegal in the country unless done via a company who are fully licensed.
- Common Gaming House Act 1953 – The Common Gaming House Act 1953 has again seen multiple amendments and covers a broader range of gambling outside of sports betting. This covers online and on-land casinos, lotteries, and any game deemed a “game of chance or mixed chance and skill with money.”
- Shariah Law – Malaysia recognizes Shariah Law, which strictly forbids gambling within the country. The caveat is that the law is not bound by no-Malays, which includes foreigners, Chinese, and Indians, of which there are a lot within the country.
The laws are strict, and the fines for playing on illegal gambling sites have recently (2020) been increased. However, it’s worth noting that even though unlawful gambling is a massive industry in Malaysia, offshore betting sites do not fall into this category and are perfectly legal to sign up, deposit, and wager.
How to Sign Up to a Top Malaysia Betting Site
One of the best things about Malaysia betting websites is the ease of creating an account. In this section, we will walk you through signing up with our top-rated Malaysian betting site, BK8.
1. Open an account
To get started, click the orange “Join Now” button at the top of the page. It’s worth noting that next to the button is a dropdown menu where you can ensure you’re on the Malaysian version of the sportsbook.
2. Create an account
Enter a username and password you want to use for your account. If you already have a Telegram account, you can use these details to link the two platforms and save time filling in the forms. The site also includes a handy tutorial video if you get stuck at any point.
3. Enter account details
Next, you must add your phone number, email address, country, preferred currency, and full name. Please take the time to make sure all information is correct, as you will need to verify this before withdrawing.
4. Deposit
Once the account has been created, you must head to the cashier. Here, you can deposit into your account. The range of payment options will be based on your location and highlighted within this section for online betting in Malaysia.
5. Place a bet
Return to the sportsbook to place a bet when the deposit is completed. Click on the odds to add selections to the bet slip and enter your stake. Confirm your bets before placing.
Bonuses Available
One of the benefits of using offshore Malaysian betting sites is the vast range of bonuses and promotions on offer. All of the sites we promote have a welcome offer as the bare minimum, with most having existing player promos such as reload bonuses and boosted odds.
In this section on online betting in Malaysia, we’ve included an overview of the bonuses available and how they work. Not all sites will have these offers, but most are covered across the range of promoted sites.
- Welcome Bonuses: The welcome bonus is the offer given to new accounts. This is usually the biggest and most lucrative offer sportsbook bonus you will receive and often comes as a deposit match.
- Deposit Match Bonuses: A deposit match will apply a bonus to your account based on your deposit amount. For example, BK8 has a 100% match-up to MYR 300, meaning that anything you deposit will be matched up to MYR 300 as a bonus.
- No Deposit Bonuses: A no deposit bonus is applied to your account without needing to make a deposit. Once applied, the bonus will work like a deposit match bonus regarding clearing rates and wagering requirements.
- Free Bets: Free bets are applied to an account that can be used throughout the sportsbook. As the name would suggest, they are free but limited in terms of how much you are given. Most free bets come without wagering requirements and pay profits without the original stake returned.
- On-going Promotions: On-going promotions include seasonal and game/event offers. For example, most sites will have specialist promotions for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and World Cup.
- Odds Boosts: Odds boosts are where the sportsbook boosts the odds for a specific market. For example, you might have odds of 2.00 for a team to win a soccer match, and the sportsbook increases these odds to 2.20, offering more value and a higher return. It is worth noting that the maximum stake for odds boosts is usually limited.
- Parlay Insurance: Parlay insurance protects bets made on parlays where just one leg of your bet lets you down. For example, if you’ve placed a five-team parlay and four legs win, with just one losing, the sportsbook will refund your stake.
- Loyalty Bonuses: A loyalty bonus is where the sportsbook rewards players with offers as a thank-you for extended periods of play. This might be a one-off bonus or as part of a larger VIP scheme that allows players to earn points as they bet before converting points into bonuses/prizes.
- Refer-a-Friend Bonuses: When you refer a player to sign up, the person referred will be given a bonus. Some sites will pay a cash reward, whereas others will apply a bonus. Most sites won’t limit the number of times this offer can be claimed, making it lucrative if a player can refer many sign-ups.
Payment Methods Available
Sportsbooks in Malaysia provide a wide range of payment methods. Given that they are offshore, the restrictions around what can and can’t be used are less strict, allowing payment methods such as crypto to thrive with these sites.
As online betting in Malaysia grows, the options to deposit and withdraw continue to increase. Below, we’ve included an outline of the payment methods you can expect to find at Malaysia betting sites.
- Cryptocurrencies: Crypto is now the most popular payment processing method in Malaysia. Platforms like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum offer fast, safe, and secure ways to deposit and withdraw funds. They often come without fees and are processed instantly.
- Traditional payment methods: Traditional payment methods in Malaysia include TruePay 2, Secret Pay, VaderPay, PowerPay, and Spay. You’ll also be able to use bank transfer, although this will take several days to process and comes with fees. The likes of Visa and Mastercard are not available.
- eWallets: eWallet apps can offer a speedy alternative to crypto and traditional payment options. Most accept the MyPay88 eWallet, which can be linked to TouchnGo, Grab Pay, and Boost Pay. This is another speedy way to get money in and out, although limits are lower for withdrawals than most.
Popular Sports to Bet on in Malaysia
Online sports betting in Malaysia is dominated by the nation’s two favorites: soccer and badminton. They both have exceptional coverage across all sites, but it’s worth noting that sites are far from limited to just these.
Below, we’ve outlined the range of sports you can access from online betting in Malaysia.
Soccer
Soccer is the most popular sports in the country. All Malaysia online betting sites will have some form of soccer betting options, with coverage from across Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and, of course, Malaysia. BK8 is ranked as the best betting site in Malaysia for soccer betting because of its domestic and international coverage, including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, and Europa League.
Badminton
Badminton is another massively popular sport in Malaysia, transpiring across the betting industry. Men’s and women’s games are covered in great depth, with markets such as outright winner, game/set betting, and a series of handicap options making up the bulk of the sportsbook. 12Play is the best badminton sportsbook, mainly due to the sheer volume of games.
Basketball
Basketball is one of the few sports that is accessible all year round. Asian leagues throughout China, South Korea, and Malaysia are very popular, but betting on the NBA draws the biggest attraction. Prop bets such as total points, first scorer, and alternative spread lines are widely available.
Esports
Online betting in Malaysia has seen a considerable shift towards esports. Most sites have dedicated esports sections away from the main sportsbook and include coverage from games such as League of Legends, CS:GO, FIFA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, NBA2K, and World of Warcraft. BK8 is the best for esports betting, mainly because it includes live streaming within the live betting section.
Tennis
Tennis is another sport available 52 weeks of the year and popular amongst professional bettors. Coverage is focused on the European and American domestic games, peaking with the four majors (French Open, US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open).
Horse Racing
Horse racing is one of the few regulated sports, but is also popular with online betting in Malaysia. Like esports, horse racing tends to have dedicated racebooks alongside the main sportsbook. Coverage is international for the most part, but Asian domestic races, particularly those based in Malaysia, are extremely popular.
Cricket
It’s not necessarily a huge sport in Malaysia, but cricket is prominent within the online betting sector. There are multiple Asian leagues and tournaments, such as the IPL (Indian Premier League) and PPL (Pakistan Premier League), which have many followers within the country and generate huge interest in online betting. Other notable betting opportunities include the multiple World Cups across all formats, The Ashes, the Australian Big Bash League, and the English T20 Blast.
Our Top Tips for Sports Betting in Malaysia
With the majority of online betting in Malaysia done on offshore sites, it’s understandable that there will be some trepidation about which sites to use and avoid. We’ve created a section outlining our top priorities for sports betting in Malaysia and how to stay safe.
- Choose a reputable brand – All the sportsbooks we outline are highly reputable and extensively tested by our team. We only promote brands that are safe, trustworthy, and protect players. This guide lets you learn more about how we rate and test sportsbooks.
- Check for licenses – Licensing significantly affects a sportsbook’s credibility. To gain any license, the sportsbook must adhere to certain levels of security and safety. All betting sites listed on this page are fully licensed and legally accept players from Malaysia.
- Use mobile betting apps/sites – Online design with most major sites is dated. However, the mobile betting apps/sites you can use are generally much more accessible. We highly recommend that you test sites online and mobile to see which is a better fit.
- Bankroll management – Betting should be done responsibly, and one of the ways to ensure this is to apply a solid bankroll management strategy. To do so, each bet must be a percentage of the total bankroll, ideally around one to three percent. For example, a MYR 500 bankroll using the 1% method would mean MYR 5 per bet.
- Research – All bets placed must be well-researched. Conducting research and finding value means you have the best chance of consistently making money from sports betting.
Best Malaysia Betting Apps & Mobile Sites
Mobile betting has seen a massive increase in the volume of bets placed over the last ten years. Online betting in Malaysia is following these exact trends, and many sites are now created with a “mobile-first” intention, meaning the mobile site or betting app is developed before the online platform.
Mobile options will be split across iOS and Android devices. BK8 is an excellent example of the flexibility of mobile betting, offering QR codes via the online platform to go straight to the download version of their mobile betting app.
Accessibility in terms of mobile betting will vary depending on which sportsbook you choose. Some will have a dedicated app you can download from the App Store (Apple) or the Google Play Store (Android). However, some have a mobile site where you enter the sportsbook via your mobile browser and use a converted online platform within your browser. In terms of usability, the pair work very much the same way.
Do You Have to Pay Taxes at Malaysia Betting Sites?
No, you do not have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Malaysia. They aren’t regarded as earnings, and any winnings from “luck-based” outcomes are not taxable.
However, it’s worth noting that as you use offshore betting sites, any changes in tax laws won’t apply either. Using these sites, you will not have to declare winnings, or will they be reported as earnings.
The Best Betting Site for Malaysia
As online betting in Malaysia continues to grow, along with the range of betting sites on offer, the standard of the products continues to rise. At the top of the pile right now is BK8, and as a result, it has been voted as the best offshore sportsbook for Malaysia residents.
The sportsbook comes with 20+ sports to bet on and hundreds of markets. The betting lines were very competitive, and the inclusion of boosted odds on selected markets added to this. The ability to switch between Malaysian, decimal, Hong Kong, and Indonesian odds format is a huge plus, given the range of people likely to access it.
Live betting is the heartbeat of the site, with live streaming accessible with a wide range of sports. The only negative is the need for horse racing, but features such as European view (changes layout to a more modern look), parlay builders, and fast markets make it a loss we are willing to overlook.
| Our rating/verdict: | 9.5/10 |
| Accessible via: | iOS, Android, Desktop |
| No. Of Sports available | 20+ |
| Welcome Offer: | 100% up to MYR 300 |
| Top Pros: | ✔️Great software ✔️Huge selection of sports ✔️Boosted odds |
| Cons: | ❌ No horse racing |
FAQs
Is online betting in Malaysia legal?
Online betting in Malaysia is illegal when using regulated sportsbooks. However, using offshore betting sites that accept Malaysian residents is not unlawful.
Is sports betting allowed in Malaysia?
Sports betting is only allowed on offshore betting sites that accept bettors from Malaysia. There are no regulated betting sites in Malaysia, with the only other form of betting accessible within one of the three horse racing tracks (bets on races hosted by the track only).
Where to bet on sports in Malaysia?
You can bet on sports using any offshore betting site that accepts Malaysian players. The best betting site in Malaysia is BK8, an Asian-based bookmaker and a sponsor of Aston Villa and Burnley football clubs.
What is the best Malaysia betting site?
BK8 is rated as the best Malaysian betting site. It comes packed with 20+ sports and has some of the best betting lines in the industry. New accounts can access a 100% bonus match worth up to MYR 300.
Is 1xbet legal in Malaysia?
Yes, 1xBet is open to residents from Malaysia and is legal for sports betting. The site is based offshore, so it does not need to conform to Malaysian sports betting or gambling laws.