Best Online lotteries in Malaysia 2023

Some people think Malaysia is all about endless sun and golden sandy beaches. That the country is more like one of those heaven-on-Earth destinations where there is nothing like internet or Wi-Fi. But this guide is here to unwind all prejudices perpetuated against Malaysia and re-affirm that the country has, in fact, a lot more to offer, including entertainment.

One form of entertainment loved in the Asian country is offline lottery gambling, which has been in existence for decades now. However, more was to come in terms of online lotteries, whose popularity in Malaysia has exploded over the past few years, and it is not difficult to understand why.

Best Online lotteries in Malaysia 2023
Malaysian Players' Favorite Lottery Games

Malaysian Players' Favorite Lottery Games

Playing online lotto games in Malaysia is one of the easiest ways to try one's luck at games of chance, including Toto 6/50, 4D Classic, and many more. Arguably, the lotto is the most common form of gambling in the country despite having random results (it is a game of chance).

Malaysian players' favorite lottery games can be classified into two: Jackpot and regular games.

Jackpot Games

If there is one single reason why gamblers love playing lotto games for a chance to win big, which is possible when playing jackpot games. And while regular wins bring great thrills, it is no secret that most players are after mega jackpots, despite being elusive. Here are the most popular jackpot games in Malaysia.

EuroMillions

EuroMillions is no doubt the biggest lottery game on the European continent. It brings together players from various nations across the world, including Malaysia. The game was established in 2014 and is known for some of the biggest payouts in the history of lotteries.

The game allows players to have fun and win twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays when draws are held in Paris, France. The minimum prize starts at €17 million and rolls over until it is won. This jackpot has paid out a whopping €190 million (the highest amount ever won) on four occasions.

Powerball

This is an American state-wide lottery whose draws are held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Powerball is one of the oldest lotteries and is known for having produced the biggest jackpot recorded in history. That happened in 2016 when the unheard-of $1.586 billion was paid to winners. The starting amount of this jackpot is set at $20 million.

Mega Millions

Like Powerball, Mega Millions is an American cross-state game founded about two decades ago. With an absurd $1.537 billion won with a single ticket on this jackpot game, Powerball is undoubtedly one of the richest lotteries out there.

Regular Games

While they may not pay out as high as the jackpot games, regular games are loved across the Malaysian gambling population. Here are some of them:

  • Magnum 4D: To play Magnum 4D, players simply need to pick a four-digit number randomly. The player wins if one or more digit(s) of the number match with the ones drawn.
  • Star Toto 6/50: Playing this game involves picking 6 numbers from a range of 1 to 50. Each bet costs RM1 (the equivalent of around 0.5 USD), meaning players don't need deep pockets to participate in this game.
  • Toto 5D: Here, players choose a five-digit number that must match the numbers drawn by the operator in order to win. Striking the first prize earns a player about USD 3,500 per bet.
Malaysian Players' Favorite Lottery Games
Lottery Payment Methods in Malaysia

Lottery Payment Methods in Malaysia

The best online lotteries will always offer a range of different ways in which Malay players can deposit or withdraw their winnings from their lottery accounts. Multiple options ensure that players don't experience any issues as far as getting started with real-money gambling is concerned.

That said, some deposit methods are naturally more popular than others in Malaysia. Here is a quick look at some of the leading payment solutions in the country:

E-Wallets

Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller are some of the best e-wallets known to be very popular among Malay online players. That's because they add an extra security layer to every transaction and are often fast and easy to use. An e-wallet can be linked to the player's bank account, enabling them to complete transactions between the two sides.

Debit, credit, & prepaid cards

These are the most rudimentary payment methods in Malaysia. Providers such as Mastercard, VISA, and Paysafecard work more or less the same way. Cards are typically supported widely by gaming providers and are a safe option for any players. However, processing times are usually slower than e-wallets.

Other Payment Methods in Malaysia

  • Bank transfers
  • Cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin)
Lottery Payment Methods in Malaysia
Lottery Legislation in Malaysia

Lottery Legislation in Malaysia

As is the case with other forms of gambling, thanks to the general prohibition on gambling, Malaysian online lotteries don't have any tradition. At the time of writing this guide (2022), online lottery sites in the country are illegal, no matter whether they are licensed in foreign jurisdictions or not.

Besides, the Malay government does not issue any licenses to online gambling operators since there are no legal grounds to do so. However, various forms of land-based lotteries are legal in Malaysia, and they are very popular among the locals. Malaysians who want to participate in land-based lotto games must attain the legal gambling age: 18 years.

Offshore Sites

While the Malay authorities try to actively block online gambling content, there are frequent cases of illegal access to online lottery sites from Malaysia. As multiple user statistics indicate, many operators in Europe and Asia receive players from the country. The players are mainly attracted by better customer service and more generous lotto bonuses, among other goodies.

While illegal access to sites is punishable, the government of Malaysia doesn't seem to bother much. Otherwise, there would be many reports indicating that lawbreakers are constantly persecuted.

Lottery Legislation in Malaysia
Lottery Acts in Malaysia

Lottery Acts in Malaysia

Comprising the base of Malaysia's gambling legislation is the Common Gaming Houses Act, ratified in 1953. With the Malaysian population split along religious lines, the government saw it fit to develop a law that applies across the board, hence, the birth of the Act.

According to this law, all forms of online gambling, including online games, are illegal in Malaysia. Any violations of this law attract punitive measures from the country's legal justice system. Article 4 of this law states that anyone using or owning a common gaming house shall be guilty of the offense and liable to a fine.

Lottery Acts in Malaysia
History of Lotteries in Malaysia

History of Lotteries in Malaysia

The historical background of the Malaysian lottery is a fairly long one because it stretches from the Dutch colonial era. Under Dutch rule, gambling activities took place in accordance with the ordinance issued by a local government.

But when did the lottery first appear in Malaysia? Actually, no one knows precisely when lottery gambling began in Malaysia. What is clear, however, is that this form of gambling became very popular during the Japanese colonial rule, especially between 1942 and 1945.

During the Japanese colonial era, the colonial officials tried to change the Malaysian economy by introducing a lottery known as Oendian Oeang Djawa Gunseikanbu, which allowed residents to play with real money.

At that time, the total prize was 125 thousand golden, with the first prize standing at 30 thousand. However, the popularity of the lottery began to dwindle in 1945 following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This resulted in the complete disappearance of the Oendian Oeang Djawa Gunseikanbu from Malaysia.

After World War II, gambling in Malaysia was unheard of until the introduction of a new lottery in 1960. The government of Malaysia then introduced lotteries in the country with the aim of raising funds to participate in horse racing.

History of Lotteries in Malaysia
On-Off State of Malaysian Lottery

On-Off State of Malaysian Lottery

Since the lottery was included in the subversion category and considered to cause damage to the morale of the Malaysian society, Eng. Soekarno, the country's first president, issued presidential Decree No. 113 in 1965, seeking to outlaw this form of gambling.

However, the situation changed when the second President, Suharto, came to power. In 1993, the government once again changed its stance and decided to revoke all lottery permits in a bid to invoke the 1953 law, which outlawed all forms of gambling in the country.

On-Off State of Malaysian Lottery
Lottery Nowadays in Malaysia

Lottery Nowadays in Malaysia

While lotto games may be prohibited in Malaysia, it doesn't mean the games have lost their prestige, especially considering that times have changed. In an era where the internet and technology are part of human life, it is safe to say that gambling in Malaysia has also assumed a different level. Unlike In the past, gambling was done manually. Today, gambling in Malaysia is done via internet-enabled devices such as computers and smartphones.

Lottery Nowadays in Malaysia
Future of Lotteries in Malaysia

Future of Lotteries in Malaysia

It still remains to be seen what will happen to the Malaysian lottery industry. While the majority of the citizens are Muslims, whose stand on gambling is very clear, other religious and non-religious groups cannot be overlooked.

With many residents turning to offshore sites for gambling, the government may decide to soften its stance on online gambling and change it into a legal and well-regulated activity that would generate some good revenue.

Future of Lotteries in Malaysia
FAQs

FAQs

Can one play lotto games online in Malaysia?

While the offline version of these games is completely legal in Malaysia, it is illegal to play the same games online in the country. However, most Malaysians still access the best lotto sites online based in other countries. Besides, the government of Malaysia does not actively seek to bring to book citizens who play on these platforms.

What lottery games can one play in Malaysia?

There are many games that one can play in Malaysia. Some of these games are local, while others are international games played by several countries. The games include Powerball, EuroMillions, Mega Millions, Toto 5D, Star Toto 6/50, and 4D Classic.

What are the available online payment methods for players in Malaysia?

Malaysians have a wide range of payment methods to choose from when gambling online. However, E-wallets and cryptocurrency are the most suitable methods since they help players to remain anonymous online. Hence, no one will know that they are playing at an offshore site.

What is the legal gambling age in Malaysia?

All Malaysian gamblers must be 18 years and over.

FAQs