Why Malaysia is becoming one of Asia’s casino gaming hotspots
The Malaysian gambling scene is one of the most gate-kept secrets in the gambling world. Ask anyone, new or seasoned, where their favorite place to gamble was, and they would mention hotspots like Macau, Singapore, or Sin City–Vegas! They would not be wrong, but that’s the same answer a dozen other people before and after them would give.
However, people with their ears closer to the ground and wanting the full experience would be quick to mention Malaysia among their options because, as things stand, no list is complete without this treasure trove.
If you think this is one location that prioritizes the atmosphere over actual gaming, be ready to eradicate those thoughts…
Resorts World Genting
In Malaysia, there is only one stop for any land-based gambling activity: the Resorts World Genting, featuring two casinos: the Genting Casino and SkyCasino. It is located in the Genting Highlands, a hill station with an elevation of 1800 meters on Mount Ulu Kali.
With over 200,000 square feet of gaming room for guests, the Resorts World Genting is a gambling mecca for all who dare. The Genting Highlands offers something for everyone; people who want to try their hands at slots can, while those looking for something different can try the theme parks on the premises. Think of it like Vegas: an entertainment all-in-one.
What sets the Resorts World Genting aside from any of the world’s casinos and resorts is that it was more than a money grab. It was the brainchild of now-deceased Forbes billionaire and businessman Lim Goh Tong and the Malaysian government. His dream was inspired by Cameron Highlands, which he considered too far from the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and a vision to put Malaysia on the map.
Between 1965 and 1970, he secured 12,000 acres of land from Pahang and another 2800 acres from the Selangor State Government. At the same time, work started on the access road leading to the resort, completed in 1969, the same year the Malaysian government granted the resort its casino license.
This marked a turning point in the country’s gambling history and industry because Malaysia, being a predominantly Muslim country, frowns on betting and gambling establishments. This often leads locals to look up resources like the best online casinos Malaysia reviewed to analyze the top offshore casino services to patronize. As Muslims are not permitted to enter the Genting resort, online services like these are growing increasingly common. These sites are based outwith Malaysia, but open their doors to all, regardless of nationality or religion, meaning even Muslim Malaysians can join in the fun.
Record Breaking Hotels
In his characteristic no-time-to-waste fashion, the first hotel was completed two years after receiving the casino licence in the name Highlands Hotel. A 3-star hotel with 448 rooms, it has now been renamed the Genting SkyWorlds hotel. The Genting Hotel, now Genting Grand, followed in 1981, a 5-star hotel with 422 rooms, and it houses the Genting Casino. In 1984 came the Awana, a 4-star, 413-room resort hotel with a swimming pool, golf course, and other sporting facilities. Following the Awana was the Resort Hotel, the 3-star hotel was commissioned in 1992 with 900 rooms.
Five years later, in 1997, the 4-star rated Highlands Hotel opened with 795 rooms. The First World Hotel holds the Guinness World Record for the hotel with the most rooms, with 7351 operational—a record the hotel held until 2008 and regained in 2015 with the completion of Tower 2A. And lastly, The Crockfords Hotel joined in 2017, the second 5-star hotel in the lineup with 138 operational rooms.
This brings the total number of rooms in the Genting Highlands resort to 10,466 operational rooms. Now it becomes clear why Malaysia could be considered one of Asia’s biggest gambling spots!
State of the art
Four words to describe the Genting Highlands would be “state of the art”. It features two cable car systems to ferry guests up and down the hilltop: The 2.8-kilometer Awana Skyway, built in 1977, and the Genting Skyway, built in 1997 and 3.38 kilometers long.
The next step in the resort’s master plan was to venture into the entertainment industry with the launch of the Genting Grand Indoor Theme Park in 1992. The Genting Outdoor Theme Park followed in 1994. It was recently slated to be rebranded to the 20th Century Fox World bar disputes when 20th Century Fox was purchased by The Walt Disney Company, resulting in it being branded as Genting SkyWorlds. The last two parks came in 1998 and 2001, the Arena of Stars and the First World Plaza Indoor Theme Park, respectively.
Put all this together, and you have a casino unlike any other. One rich in history, enriched in local sentiment, offering the same top-shelf experience any gambling connoisseur would not soon forget.
The cost of living in Malaysia
Say gambling, and people think of excessive spending. It is not always true, at least not for people who want to enjoy most of the finer things of life without putting a dent in their finances.
If you want to gamble and enjoy other amenities the locale offers, Malaysia is the answer for you. Unlike Las Vegas, ranked in the top 12% of the most expensive cities in the world with an average cost of living of $2230, or Singapore, where the average monthly cost is $2600, the average cost of living in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, ranges from $476 to $1800: significantly less than other gambling hubs.
A total experience
When you choose Malaysia, there’s no compromise. You are getting the home away from home experience, luxury dining, an opportunity to enjoy local cuisine, and wild wonders while playing your favorite casino games. Guests can enjoy attractions like the Petronas Towers, Escape Penang, Batu Caves, and Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, to name a few.
Gambling in Malaysia gives visitors the full, undiluted experience at every point of asking.
Conclusion
The more you look, the more you see why Malaysia is fast becoming the toast of the gambling world. While it’s a small slice of the pie to contest casinos in Vegas, Singapore, and Macau, it is without doubt that Malaysia is right up there with the rest and with the potential to capture a larger chunk of the Asian market and who knows, perhaps one day, the world.