Since Malaysia’s independence till now, there has been only one place in Malaysia, a muslim-dominant country, where people can indulge in gambling with impunity, and that is Resorts World Genting. To put it simply, it’s the only land-based casino in Malaysia with a legal license.
In hindsight, it’s truly out of the ordinary that Resorts World Genting could even convince the Malaysian government to grant it the casino operating license, considering there have not been any other legal land-based casinos since then. Naturally, being the one and only legal land-based casino in Malaysia, Resorts World Genting has witnessed its business soaring with the never-ending visitors and patrons, both local and foreign.
However, its casino business has not been a smooth ride throughout. Besides, you will need to know some of the strict rules imposed by the Malaysian government before you start betting your money at Resorts World Genting, because you might face serious legal punishments if you violate any of them.
History of Resorts World Genting
So, how does a muslim country like Malaysia agree to the idea of having a casino resort on its land?
First Phase of Genting Highlands Resorts
In 1960, just three years after Malaysia gained its independence, the idea of building a resort world in the likeness of mini Las Vegas, remote from any of the major cities, including Kuala Lumpur and up in the mountains with a fresh, cooler breeze, struck Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, who would later propose his business venture to the first-ever Malaysian government. At the time, probably due to the desire to expedite the tourism industry in Malaysia, the first prime minister (Tunku Abdul Rahman) agreed to provide a casino license to Genting.
With a positive outlook, the construction work to build roads up to the top of Mount Ulu Kali started in 1965. By 1969, the road and the first phase of construction work were completed. Within the same year, the Malaysian government issued the only casino license in history to Resorts World Genting. Besides, to accommodate tourists from neighbouring countries that didn’t have a land-based casino, the Highlands Hotel, later renamed Theme Park Hotel, with approximately 200 rooms, was constructed and officially opened in 1971.
Just like that, Genting Highlands Resorts is in business.
Continued Expansion of Genting Casino
Even with some political upheaval and the rise of Islamic opposition to the casino in the 1980s, Genting Highlands remained in business. Instead of shrinking its operations, the resorts expanded, with the addition of more hotels, indoor and outdoor theme parks, multiple casino floors, a megamall, and even a brand-new casino.
When it first launched, the Genting Casino had only a single floor. Due to the ever-increasing demand and influx of foreign patrons, it expanded to include multiple floors, namely The Circus Palace and Hollywood Palace. The former is what many old-generation Malaysians would come to know as the main casino floor, while the latter is the addition of a themed casino. By the end of the 20th century, these multiple floors, coupled with niche and VIP rooms, made up the most hitherto attractive land-based casino hub in Southeast Asia.
Genting Casino remained the main thing to do when visiting Genting Highland, that was until 2017, when Resorts World Genting (RWG) officially launched a brand-new casino inside the Sky Avenue Mall; the casino is called SkyCasino. As with everything that is new, the SkyCasino features more modern-looking, visually appealing technologies. These 2 casinos remained in operation until 2024, when the Genting Casino underwent a renovation.
So, as of now, if you visit Genting Highlands, SkyCasino is your only choice of land-based casino. Don’t worry, though, about SkyCasino being overcrowded, as its facility and space are significantly larger than Genting Casino.
The Famous Resorts World Genting Casino Bus Trip
Back then, owning a car was a luxury enjoyed only by a few; therefore, it was a big problem for many people to travel all the way to Genting Highlands, as it’s located in a remote area up in the mountains. So, the solution is to provide express buses.
Generally, there are two types of bus services that will take you back and forth between Genting Highlands Premium Outlet (GHPO) Terminal and whichever pick-up point closest to you: express buses provided by Resorts World Genting itself and those by other agents. Usually, with the express buses provided by RWG, the pickup points are KL Sentral, Terminal Bersepadu Gombak, KLIA, and KLIA 2.
Additionally, you can also opt to include a cable car experience, which may be at a higher price.
Below is the price table for a one-way trip. However, please do check the official website for the latest price list:
|
Routes |
Adult |
Child |
Senior |
Guest with Disabilities |
|
KL Sentral – GHPO (Cable Car) |
RM20 |
RM17 |
RM12 |
RM12 |
|
KL Sentral — GHPO |
RM10 |
RM7 |
||
|
Terminal Bersepadu Gombak — GHPO |
RM12 |
RM9 |
||
|
KLIA / KLIA2 – GHPO |
RM35 |
RM25 |
||
There are other notable third-party agents for offering express bus services, namely Aerobus, Billion Star, Red Bus, Sri Marong, V Travel, Yellow Star, and Antar Holidays, covering areas that go beyond Klang Valley, including Kedah, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang. These are just a few of them; there are probably way more options, some even providing bus service all the way from Singapore.
Now, there are some distinctions here you should be aware of. Usually, the bus services from RWG and the third-party agents listed on its official website don’t require passengers to be 21 years or above. However, some other bus services have such a requirement, as their services are packaged and marketed to people who wish to visit Genting Highlands specifically for the casino. So, make sure you figure out what kind of bus you are taking before purchasing a ticket.
Games in Genting Casino
Since the Genting Casino is still under renovation, we will only talk about what you can expect at the newest casino complex, SkyCasino.
While the exact numbers might vary, there are about 600 gaming tables, 2000 slot machines, and 1000 Electronic Table Games (ETGs). You can find them at multiple stadium games provided by Interblock. At each stadium, there are tens or hundreds of ETGs, allowing players to all bet simultaneously on games such as baccarat and roulette. Some of these stadiums have live dealers, and the result is streamed live on a giant screen
|
Games |
Details |
Minimum Bet |
|
Slots |
|
Varies |
|
Table Games |
|
RM25 on mass-floor tables. Premium tables will have a higher minimum bet |
|
ETGs |
|
As low as RM10, perfect for a low-risk player. |
|
VIP |
|
Unknown |
Practical Information Before Visiting RWG Casinos
By now, you should already know muslims are prohibited from entering the casino. In fact, you will notice several security personnel in uniforms standing at the entrance. One of their main duties is to prevent any muslims from entering the casino premises. Besides, even if you are a tourist, if your passport states that your religion is Islam, you are not allowed to enter as well.
It should go without saying that you must carry your IC (for Malaysians) or passports (for foreigners). Besides, to err on the side of caution, you should follow the smart casual dress code, which means no short pants, caps, or even sunglasses.
Moreover, it will be more convenient if you go to the counter inside the casino and register to become a member first if this is your first time gambling at RWG casino. You will get a card along with some initial free credit. Besides, you can also use this card to gather points that, with enough points, you can use for promotion of a hotel stay or at certain restaurants
What’s The Difference Between Genting Casino and Online Casino
Recently, there has been a rise in online casino options in Malaysia, and they are getting better with their games and promotion deals. So, is Genting Casino still worth your time?
Let’s do a quick comparison
|
Feature |
Genting Landed Casino |
Online Casino |
|
Legal status in Malaysia |
Fully legal |
Offshore license, operating in gray area |
|
Age requirement |
21+ |
Usually 18+ (varies by operator) |
|
Location |
Physical (Resorts World Genting) |
Anywhere with internet |
|
Games |
Table games, slots, ETGs |
Slots, table games, sports betting, fast games |
|
Payments |
Cash & Genting e-cash |
Online banking, e-wallets, crypto |
|
Bonuses |
Limited (sometimes lucky draws, member rewards) |
Ample, as there are many welcome bonuses, rescue bonuses, and weekly bonuses. |
|
Atmosphere |
Social, luxury, in-person experience |
Private, digital, convenient |
Now you can compare the differences. Here is a table to assess each of the two’s pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Genting Casino |
|
|
|
Online Casino |
|
|
Which Do You Prefer?
While some still enjoy the more intimate experience provided by land-based casinos at Resorts World Genting, more and more people are starting to switch to online casinos due to the extreme convenience. However, it ultimately depends on which aspect of the gambling experience you prioritise the most.
FAQ
How many casinos are in Genting?
There are 2 casinos in Genting: Genting Casino and Skycasino. However, Genting Casino is under renovation.
What is the minimum bet in Genting?
Varies, depending on the type of game.
Is there any entry fee for the Genting casino?
No.
Can Muslims enter casino Genting?
No.
Can I wear jeans when I enter Genting casino?
Yes
Do I need to show an IC to enter casino Genting?
Only if the security personnel ask for it.
Can I take a photo in Genting casino?
No. No video and picture taking is allowed.
How do you know when a slot machine is about to hit?
You don’t, as there is no strict pattern. It’s all regulated by RNG (Random Number Generator).
