Resorts World Genting is Malaysia’s only legal casino. Located in the highlands of Pahang, it has operated under a federal licence since 1971, offering a complete integrated resort experience with hotels, theme parks, convention facilities and the country‘s sole gambling venue. The property is owned by Genting Malaysia Berhad (GENM), a subsidiary of the broader Genting Group, which also operates casinos in the UK, the US, Egypt and the Bahamas.
Unlike neighbouring Singapore, which has two casino resorts, Malaysia has never issued a second casino licence. The government has consistently rejected proposals for new licences, including a high‑profile 2025 proposal for a casino at Forest City, Johor, which drew strong public and political opposition. This makes RWG a unique asset – a legal casino monopoly in a country of over 34 million people.
This article analyses Malaysia’s casino market in 2026, covering market size, financial performance, the impact of illegal gambling, and the government‘s stance on new casino licences.
Malaysia’s Casino Market – A Sector at a Crossroads
Malaysia’s casino and gaming industry has substantial scale, despite having only one legal casino. As of February 2026, the industry’s total market capitalisation stood at RM28.4 billion, with combined annual revenue of RM56.7 billion and earnings of RM601.6 million for the most recent fiscal year. On a quarterly basis, the industry continues to perform. Resorts World Genting alone is ranked as the top gambling and gaming company in Malaysia by revenue, with annual revenue of RM1.7 billion, followed by Magnum Berhad at RM466.7 million.
The legal gambling market as a whole is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2026 to 2032, driven by increasing internet and mobile device penetration. Regional trends also point upward. The Asia Pacific online gambling market generated revenue of USD 21.4 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2026 to 2033, reaching USD 56.7 billion. Sports betting, in particular, is the fastest‑growing segment. The Southeast Asia sports betting market reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025 and is forecast to hit USD 8.6 billion by 2034, representing an 8.93% CAGR.
Malaysia Casino and Gaming Market Overview
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Casino and gaming industry market cap (Feb 2026) | RM28.4 billion | Simply Wall St |
| Casino and gaming industry annual revenue | RM56.7 billion | Simply Wall St |
| Casino and gaming industry earnings | RM601.6 million | Simply Wall St |
| Resorts World Genting annual revenue | RM1.7 billion | ZoomInfo |
| Magnum Berhad annual revenue | RM466.7 million | ZoomInfo |
| Malaysia gambling market CAGR (2026-2032) | 5.4% | 6Wresearch |
| Asia Pacific online gambling revenue (2025) | USD 21.4 billion | Grand View Research |
| Southeast Asia sports betting revenue (2025) | USD 3.9 billion | IMARC |
Resorts World Genting – Financial Performance and Visitor Trends
Genting Malaysia Berhad recorded revenue of RM28.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 10 per cent increase year‑on‑year driven by global leisure and hospitality growth. However, the company swung to a net loss of RM3.8 million for the quarter, compared to a net profit of RM72.7 million in the same period last year. The loss was primarily due to pre‑opening costs associated with the company‘s newly launched commercial casino in New York. Excluding these one‑time expenses, core profitability remained solid.
Genting Berhad, the parent company, performed much more strongly. It recorded a net profit of RM101.1 million in Q1 2026, a dramatic increase from RM4.6 million in Q1 2025, driven by joint venture gains and lower impairment charges.
Resorts World Genting attracted more than 20 million visitors in 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, visitor numbers reached 5.5 million, down four per cent year‑on‑year, attributed to shifting consumer spending patterns. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents must pay an entry levy of RM150 for a 24‑hour pass, with an annual pass available for RM3,000. Only non‑Muslims are officially permitted to enter the casino, though enforcement has traditionally been inconsistent.
Affin Hwang analysts have noted that while Visit Malaysia 2026 could help improve visitor traffic, Genting Malaysia’s earnings remain heavily dependent on its gaming business.
Official website:
Resorts World Genting Official WebsiteResorts World Genting – Key Statistics
| Indicator | Value | Period / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Genting Malaysia revenue (Q1 2026) | RM28.7 billion | Q1 2026 / Genting financial report |
| Genting Malaysia net profit/loss (Q1 2026) | Loss RM3.8 million | New Straits Times |
| Genting Berhad net profit (Q1 2026) | RM101.1 million | News Seehua |
| Annual visitors (2025) | 20 million+ | ZoomInfo |
| Entry levy (24‑hour pass) | RM150 | Casino regulation |
| Annual entry levy | RM3,000 | Casino regulation |
The Illegal Market – A Colossal Drain
The legal casino market in Malaysia exists alongside a massive illegal gambling market. According to data released in 2023, the country’s illegal gambling market generates approximately RM18 billion annually, meaning the government misses out on an estimated RM5 billion in vital tax income. Illegal number forecast operator (NFO) operations are now estimated to be at least 1.5 to two times the size of the legal industry. They offer daily draws, higher payouts and 24/7 mobile access, while legal NFOs are restricted to physical outlets and capped at three to four draws per week.
The government has intensified enforcement. MCMC removed 15,519 pieces of online gambling content in the first 15 days of 2026. In February 2026, police arrested 388 suspects in raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang, targeting a syndicate developing online gambling platforms for domestic and international use. The government is also drafting a new law to address illegal gambling, which will strengthen enforcement mechanisms for police and government agencies.
Tourism, Expansion and the Casino Licence Debate
Resorts World Genting is expanding for Visit Malaysia 2026 with a new hotel tower, shopping mall, Eufloria garden and BUNGA 2026. The government has rejected all new casino licence proposals, including Forest City and Pulau Papan. Genting Berhad‘s RM6.7 billion privatisation of Genting Malaysia failed to reach the 75% threshold. Genting Malaysia secured a New York casino licence in December 2025. Resorts World Genting remains Malaysia’s only legal casino.
Resorts World Genting remains Malaysia‘s sole legal casino, a position it has held since 1971. The broader casino and gaming industry has a market capitalisation of RM28.4 billion and annual revenue of RM56.7 billion. Genting Malaysia recorded RM28.7 billion in revenue in Q1 2026, though pre‑opening costs in New York drove a net loss of RM3.8 million.
The legal casino market, however, exists alongside an estimated RM18 billion to RM20 billion illegal gambling market, which continues to drain significant tax revenue. The government has escalated enforcement, with MCMC removing over 15,000 gambling content pieces in early 2026 and police conducting major syndicate raids.
In preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026, Resorts World Genting is undergoing major expansion, including a new hotel tower, luxury shopping mall and eco‑tourism attractions. The government has rejected all new casino licence proposals, and Resorts World Genting will remain Malaysia‘s only legal casino for the foreseeable future. Genting Malaysia has, however, secured a full commercial casino licence in New York, representing a significant international milestone for the group.
Official website:
https://www.rwgenting.com/Sources: Genting Malaysia Berhad, Genting Berhad, Simply Wall St, ZoomInfo, 6Wresearch, Grand View Research, IMARC Group, New Straits Times, News Seehua, iGaming Expert, The Edge Malaysia, Daily Express, DBS Bank, Forest City casino proposal reports
Which Casino Is Legal in Malaysia?
Q1: Which casino is legal in Malaysia? ▼
Resorts World Genting in Pahang is the only legal casino in Malaysia. It has operated under a federal licence since 1971. No other casino licences have been issued, and a 2024 proposal for a casino at Forest City in Johor was rejected.[Official Site]
Q2: Who operates Resorts World Genting? ▼
The casino is operated by Genting Malaysia Berhad, a subsidiary of the Genting Group. Genting Malaysia also operates casinos in the UK, the US, Egypt and the Bahamas.
Q3: Can Malaysians enter Resorts World Genting casino? ▼
Only non‑Muslims are officially permitted to enter. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents must pay an entry levy of RM150 for a 24‑hour pass or RM3,000 for an annual pass. Muslims are prohibited from entering under Sharia law.
Q4: How large is Malaysia‘s illegal gambling market? ▼
The illegal gambling market is estimated to generate RM18 billion to RM20 billion annually, costing the government RM5 billion in lost tax revenue. Illegal NFOs are 1.5 to two times larger than the legal industry.[Source]
Q5: Is the government planning to issue a second casino licence? ▼
No. The government has consistently rejected proposals for new casino licences, including a 2024 proposal for a casino at Forest City, Johor. A 2026 proposal for a casino on Pulau Papan, Labuan, has also not received government endorsement. Resorts World Genting is likely to retain its monopoly for the foreseeable future.
