For decades, Malaysia had no legal football betting market. The only legal sports betting was horse race betting at three turf clubs. All other sports betting, including on football, was illegal and operated through underground bookmakers or offshore websites. That changed in 2026 when Ascot Sports, a subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation, was reissued a sports betting licence by the Ministry of Finance.
The licence is non‑exclusive, meaning other operators could theoretically receive similar licences in the future. The government is also drafting a new gambling bill that will modernise Malaysia’s gambling laws and provide a clearer framework for licensing. This article provides a comprehensive update on sports betting licences in Malaysia, the conditions attached to the Ascot Sports licence, and what the future may hold.
Ascot Sports – Malaysia’s First Legal Football Betting Licence
On 9 April 2026, Berjaya Corporation Berhad announced that its wholly‑owned subsidiary, Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, had been issued a sports betting licence by the Minister of Finance. The licence is valid for one year and will be renewed annually. Berjaya Corporation paid RM525 million to acquire a 70% stake in Ascot Sports, which had held a dormant licence for many years.
The reissuance of the licence ended years of speculation. Ascot Sports originally received a licence in the 1990s but never fully launched. In 2026, the government decided to activate the licence as part of a broader strategy to regulate sports betting and capture tax revenue from an estimated RM20 billion illegal betting market.
Berjaya Corporation founder Vincent Tan has long pushed for legal sports betting. The successful licence reissuance represents a major victory for the conglomerate. The licence is non‑exclusive, meaning other companies may eventually be allowed to operate legal sports betting businesses.
The licence was issued under the Racing (Totalizator Board) Act 1961, which had previously only applied to horse race betting. The government used a provision in the Act to extend its scope to football betting. This legal manoeuvre allowed the licence to be issued without amending existing legislation, though a new gambling bill is being drafted to provide a more comprehensive framework.
Ascot Sports Licence Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd (subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation) |
| Licence issued by | Minister of Finance, Malaysia |
| Licence type | Non‑exclusive sports betting licence |
| Validity period | One year (renewable annually) |
| Berjaya’s stake in Ascot Sports | 70% (acquired for RM525 million) |
| Launch target | End of August / early September 2026 (English Premier League season) |
Licence Details – Non‑Exclusive, No Online Betting, Major Conditions
The Ascot Sports licence comes with several important conditions. Understanding these conditions is essential for anyone interested in the legal status of sports betting in Malaysia.
Non‑exclusive nature: The licence is explicitly non‑exclusive. This means the government could issue similar licences to other operators in the future. While no other licences have been announced, the door is open. The government has not indicated when or if additional licences will be issued.
No online betting: Ascot Sports is not permitted to offer online betting. Bets can only be placed over‑the‑counter at designated outlets or via telephone. This significantly limits the convenience for punters compared to offshore betting sites. The government has cited concerns about problem gambling and underage access as reasons for prohibiting online betting.
Restricted to overseas sports: The licence only allows betting on sports activities conducted outside Malaysia. Betting on Malaysian domestic football leagues or other local sports is prohibited. This condition aims to protect the integrity of local sports from match‑fixing concerns.
Limited distribution points: Initially, only 220 of Berjaya Sports Toto’s 680 outlets will be used as distribution points, all located in West Malaysia. East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) is not included in the initial rollout.
No live betting initially: Ascot Sports will initially offer only pre‑match 90‑minute bets. Live betting (in‑play) will be available only later. The company has not provided a timeline for when live betting will be introduced.
The licence does not legalise any other forms of sports betting. All other football betting, including on offshore websites, remains illegal. The government has intensified enforcement against illegal bookmakers, with MCMC blocking thousands of gambling sites in 2026.
Government Policy – More Licences Possible in the Future
The government has been clear that the Ascot Sports licence is part of a broader strategy, not an isolated decision. The Ministry of Finance controls all gambling licences through its Betting Control Unit. The government has expressed interest in regulating the sports betting market to capture tax revenue from the estimated RM20 billion illegal market.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration has taken a pragmatic approach. While gambling is prohibited for Muslims and tightly controlled overall, the government recognises that illegal betting is widespread. Legalising and taxing a limited form of sports betting is seen as preferable to allowing all revenue to flow to illegal operators.
The non‑exclusive nature of the licence suggests that the government may issue additional licences in the future. Potential candidates include other major conglomerates with experience in gambling or retail operations. However, the government has not announced a timeline or criteria for additional licences.
Political sensitivity remains a factor. Any expansion of legal gambling is controversial, particularly with opposition from conservative Muslim groups. The government has therefore proceeded cautiously, limiting the licence to non‑online, over‑the‑counter betting on overseas sports only.
The government is also using the licence to test the market. If the Ascot Sports operation is successful and does not lead to a significant increase in gambling harm, additional licences may be considered. If problems arise, the government may reconsider its approach.
Sports Betting Legal Framework in Malaysia (2026)
| Activity | Legal Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ascot Sports football betting (over‑the‑counter) | Yes (legal) | Non‑exclusive licence, overseas sports only, no online betting, limited outlets |
| Horse race betting (turf clubs) | Yes (legal) | Penang, Selangor, Perak Turf Clubs only |
| Online sports betting (any operator) | No (illegal) | Includes offshore websites; users can be prosecuted |
| Betting on Malaysian domestic leagues | No (illegal) | Prohibited under licence conditions and general laws |
| Other retail sports betting (unauthorised) | No (illegal) | Subject to prosecution under Common Gaming Houses Act |
New Gambling Bill – A Modern Legal Framework
The government is drafting a new gambling bill to update Malaysia’s 70‑year‑old laws. The bill will address online gambling, provide a clearer licensing framework, and strengthen enforcement. It is being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers and expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in late 2026.
Key expected provisions include: explicitly stating that online gambling is illegal (closing the current legal loophole), stronger penalties for illegal operators, a more transparent process for issuing sports betting licences, and powers to block payments to illegal gambling sites. The bill will also harmonise gambling laws across all states, affirming that gambling regulation is a federal matter.
Malaysia’s sports betting landscape is undergoing its most significant change in decades. Ascot Sports now holds a legal football betting licence, with operations expected to launch in time for the 2026 English Premier League season. The licence is non‑exclusive, and the government has indicated that more licences could be issued in the future. A new gambling bill is being drafted to modernise the legal framework.
However, the licence comes with major restrictions. Online betting is prohibited. Betting on Malaysian domestic sports is not allowed. Only over‑the‑counter and telephone bets are permitted. The vast majority of sports betting in Malaysia – including all online betting – remains illegal, and enforcement against illegal bookmakers has intensified.
For now, legal sports betting is a small, controlled niche. The government is proceeding cautiously, balancing the desire to capture tax revenue with the need to manage social harm. The 2026 developments are a first step, not a full opening of the market.
Sources: Berjaya Corporation Berhad announcement, Ministry of Finance, New Straits Times, The Edge Malaysia, Free Malaysia Today
What Is the Latest Update on Sports Betting Licences in Malaysia?
Q1: Who holds a sports betting licence in Malaysia in 2026? ▼
Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation, holds the only active sports betting licence as of 2026. The licence is non‑exclusive, meaning other operators could potentially receive licences in the future.
Q2: Can I bet online using the Ascot Sports licence? ▼
No. The licence specifically prohibits online betting. Bets can only be placed over‑the‑counter at designated outlets or via telephone. Any website claiming to offer legal online sports betting is illegal.
Q3: Will the government issue more sports betting licences? ▼
The licence is non‑exclusive, so additional licences are possible. However, the government has not announced any timeline or criteria for issuing new licences. The new gambling bill may provide a clearer framework.
Q4: What sports can I bet on legally in Malaysia? ▼
You can bet on horse racing at licensed turf clubs (Penang, Selangor, Perak) and, through Ascot Sports, on overseas football matches (not Malaysian domestic leagues). No other sports betting is legal.
Q5: Is Malaysia drafting a new gambling law? ▼
Yes. The government is drafting a new gambling bill to update the 70‑year‑old laws. The bill will address online gambling, strengthen enforcement, and may provide a clearer licensing framework. It is expected to be tabled in Parliament in late 2026.
