The latter is one of the most popular forms of entertainment across South East Asia, thanks to centuries-old cultural traditions. However, Malaysia is still grappling with the issue, as its current gambling laws are based on a legal framework that dates back to the 1950s. The Betting Act and the Common Gaming Houses Act, both signed into law in 1953, prohibit most types of physical gambling, but they don’t explicitly cover Internet gambling.

Despite the lack of comprehensive laws, authorities have used other methods to stop Malaysians from gambling online. These measures include directly blocking people from using many online casinos. The government has also instructed financial institutions to stop gambling-related transactions on individuals’ accounts. That said, one can still find casinos that accept Malaysian players. These are popular, as you would expect, as they offer alternative transaction methods, better anonymity, and cryptocurrencies. They also provide all the traditional betting games beloved in the region, like Keno.

Beyond the gambling realm, Malaysia’s internet laws are pretty stringent when it comes to content consumption for mobile and laptop users. Many of these have been instituted for moral or religious reasons. Website content is constantly monitored, which has already led to certain platforms being noted for containing what the authorities label as “undesirable”. Some examples include sites that carry LGBTQ+ content, specific news sites, and even certain art websites. Of course, this has created concern among both consumers and content creators, who are wary of the authorities closing down avenues for diverse expression.