Malaysia has only one legal casino: Resorts World Genting (RWG). Located in the cool highlands of Pahang, this integrated resort has been operating since 1971 under a licence granted by the federal government. The property is owned and operated by Genting Malaysia Berhad, a subsidiary of the broader Genting Group.
Unlike neighbouring countries such as Singapore, which has two casino resorts, Malaysia has never issued a second casino licence. The government has consistently rejected proposals for new casinos, including a recent 2025 proposal for a casino in Forest City, Johor, which drew strong public and political opposition. This makes RWG a truly unique asset – a legal casino monopoly in a country of over 34 million people.
This article analyses the casino in Malaysia, covering its financial performance, visitor trends, expansion plans, and the broader gambling market context, including the significant challenge posed by illegal gambling.
Resorts World Genting – Malaysia’s Only Legal Casino
Resorts World Genting is located approximately 2,000 metres above sea level, about a one‑hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. The resort includes a casino, multiple hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues, a theme park, and convention facilities. The property is designed as a complete holiday destination, appealing to both domestic and international tourists.
Genting Malaysia Berhad, the operator of RWG, also holds gambling assets internationally. The company operates casinos in the United Kingdom, the United States, Egypt, and the Bahamas, making it a significant global gambling operator. However, its core revenue driver remains the Malaysian property.
In 2025, Resorts World Genting welcomed approximately 5.5 million visitors in the first quarter alone, though this represented a four per cent decline year‑on‑year. The property attracted more than 20 million visitors for the full year, the majority of whom were day‑trippers rather than overnight guests. In the first quarter of 2025, visitor numbers fell to 5.5 million, down from 5.7 million the previous year. This decline has been attributed to a shift in consumer spending patterns.
Entry to the casino is restricted. Only non‑Muslims are officially permitted to enter, though enforcement has traditionally been inconsistent. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents are also subject to an entry levy, currently set at RM150 per person for a 24‑hour pass, with an annual pass available for RM3,000.
Official website: https://www.rwgenting.com/
Resorts World Genting – Key Statistics
| Indicator | Value | Period / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual visitors (2025) | 20 million+ | Travel and Tour World |
| Q1 2025 visitor numbers | 5.5 million | New Straits Times |
| Entry levy (24‑hour pass) | RM150 | Casino regulation |
| Annual entry levy | RM3,000 | Casino regulation |
Financial Performance – Revenue Trends and Profitability
Genting Malaysia Berhad’s financial performance offers a direct window into the health of Malaysia’s casino market. In the first quarter of 2026, the company recorded overall revenue of RM5.54 billion, with the Malaysian leisure and hospitality business contributing significantly. Revenue from Malaysia increased by four per cent year‑on‑year, driven by strong performance from its domestic casino operations.
However, the company swung to a net loss of RM25.2 million in Q1 2026, primarily due to substantial pre‑opening expenses associated with its newly launched casino in New York. Excluding these one‑time costs, core profitability remained solid.
Genting Berhad, the parent company, reported a net profit of RM1.11 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a dramatic increase from the previous year, driven by strong performance across its leisure and hospitality divisions and the full consolidation of its US operations. Its revenue for the quarter reached RM6.66 billion.
The broader group’s full‑year 2025 results were weaker. Genting Berhad recorded a net loss of RM11.56 million for FY2025, a sharp reversal from a net profit of RM882.95 million in FY2024. The loss was largely attributable to impairment charges and weaker performance in the fourth quarter, where net loss widened to RM289.97 million despite a slight revenue increase to RM6.94 billion. This volatility reflects the significant exposure of the group’s earnings to non‑Malaysian assets, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The company is also undergoing a significant restructuring. In October 2025, Genting Berhad proposed a RM6.7 billion privatisation of Genting Malaysia, which would take the casino operator private and delist it from Bursa Malaysia. The move would give the parent company greater control over the subsidiary’s strategic direction, including its international expansion plans, though the proposal remained subject to shareholder approval as of early 2026.
Genting Malaysia – Key Financial Data
| Financial Indicator | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genting Malaysia revenue | RM5.54 billion | Q1 2026 | 9shares.my |
| Genting Malaysia Q1 net loss | RM25.2 million | Q1 2026 | Asian Gaming |
| Genting Berhad Q1 net profit | RM1.11 billion | Q1 2026 | 9shares.my |
| Genting Berhad FY2025 net loss | RM11.56 million | FY2025 | Bernama |
| Genting Malaysia privatisation value | RM6.7 billion | Proposed 2025 | Exmoo |
Tourism and Expansion – Preparing for Visit Malaysia 2026
Resorts World Genting is positioning itself as a key beneficiary of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), a national tourism campaign aimed at attracting 35.6 million international visitors. The government is also considering raising this target following stronger‑than‑expected arrivals in 2025.
In preparation for VM2026, Genting Malaysia has launched several major expansion and renovation projects. A comprehensive renovation programme commenced in early 2026, including modernisation of hotel properties, upgrades to entertainment facilities, and the construction of a new hotel tower with over 1,000 rooms, a luxury shopping mall, and new dining options.
The resort has also introduced new eco‑tourism and edu‑tourism attractions specifically for VM2026. Eufloria, a 12.5‑acre botanical garden, combines horticulture, artistry and conservation‑driven storytelling. The resort has also unveiled BUNGA 2026, a floral‑themed attraction designed to draw family visitors. These new additions are part of a broader strategy to diversify the resort’s offerings beyond its core casino business.
The introduction of new visa‑free travel for Chinese tourists, in place until 2026, is expected to further boost visitor numbers. In addition, a newly rebranded Hotel on the Park (formerly the Theme Park Hotel) has opened, and the AK Antara Signature Mall, spanning over 100,000 square feet, has been launched as the commercial centrepiece of the Antara integrated development in Genting Highlands.
These investments reflect a deliberate strategy to reduce the resort’s reliance on gaming revenue by attracting more family and leisure visitors. Nonetheless, analysts at Affin Hwang have noted that earnings remain heavily dependent on the gaming business, and they do not expect VM2026 to provide a major boost to the company’s stock.
Broader Market Context – Illegal Gambling and Investment Trends
Malaysia’s illegal gambling market costs RM5 billion in lost tax revenue annually. Offshore gambling sites persist despite enforcement. Genting Berhad proposed a RM6.7 billion privatisation of Genting Malaysia. The government has rejected all new casino licence proposals. 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. Its operator, Genting Malaysia Berhad, recorded RM5.54 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, though pre‑opening costs in New York drove a net loss of RM25.2 million. Visitor numbers reached 5.5 million in Q1 2025, with the resort attracting more than 20 million visitors annually.
In preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026, the resort is undergoing a major expansion, including a new 1,000‑room hotel tower, luxury shopping mall, and eco‑tourism attractions such as Eufloria and BUNGA 2026. These investments aim to diversify the resort’s offerings beyond its core gaming business.
However, the legal casino market exists alongside an estimated RM18 billion to RM20 billion illegal gambling market, which continues to drain significant tax revenue. A proposed RM6.7 billion privatisation of Genting Malaysia could reshape the operator’s strategic direction, but the government has made clear that no new casino licences will be issued, ensuring RWG’s monopoly status for the foreseeable future.
Official website: https://www.rwgenting.com/
Sources: Genting Malaysia Berhad, Genting Berhad, Bernama, New Straits Times, The Edge Malaysia, Asian Gaming, Simply Wall St, Exmoo, 9shares.my, Travel and Tour World, Marketing Interactive, Wconcept, RWG official site
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 been operating under a federal licence since 1971. No other casino licences have been issued, and a 2025 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.[Source]
Q3: How many people visit Resorts World Genting each year? ▼
The resort attracted more than 20 million visitors in 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, visitor numbers were 5.5 million, down four per cent year‑on‑year.[Source]
Q4: 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.
Q5: Is Genting Malaysia being privatised? ▼
In October 2025, parent company Genting Berhad proposed a RM6.7 billion privatisation of Genting Malaysia. The proposal would take the casino operator private and delist it from Bursa Malaysia. As of early 2026, the proposal was still subject to shareholder approval.[Source]
