Asia has emerged as a vibrant playground for casino enthusiasts, with destinations like Macau, often dubbed Asia’s Las Vegas, leading the charge. Singapore also offers high-end gaming experiences, while Thailand is edging closer to legalising casinos with a long-anticipated bill.
Japan, meanwhile, is preparing for a new round of bids for integrated resorts (IRs), signalling fresh opportunities in a market that continues to attract global attention. With tourists arriving from across the globe, the region’s gaming destinations are fast becoming key players in both the travel and entertainment industries.
Tourism and tensions
The continent has many exciting opportunities for growth, but it also faces significant regulatory obstacles and sporadic diplomatic disputes. Consider this, for example. In recent times, Malaysia has had to politely urge Indonesian visitors to engage in cultural and recreational activities rather than just gambling.
Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, the deputy chairperson of Tourism Malaysia, clarified that the country is not promoting itself as a gambling destination for Indonesians. He stressed that although gambling is legal in Malaysia, it is strictly limited to specific venues such as Genting Highlands, home to Genting Casino and SkyCasino. “If there are Indonesian tourists who seek casino experience in Genting, we can’t stop them, and we can’t prevent them,” he stated.
Free-flowing travel by Indonesians
These comments came amid growing scrutiny over cross-border gambling tourism. Indonesia and Malaysia not only share a geographical border but also enjoy relatively streamlined travel arrangements. Indonesian citizens do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for short-term visits. They are allowed to stay visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism and business.
As a result, in 2023, Malaysia welcomed around 3.17 million Indonesian tourists, making Indonesia the second-largest source of international visitors after Singapore. By 2024, this figure rose to 3.65 million. The increase in visitor numbers also appeared to reflect in casino revenues.
In 2023, Resorts World Genting (RWG) recorded full-year revenue of RM6.3 billion (€1.3 billion),. In 2024, RWG played a significant role in Genting Malaysia’s full-year revenue of RM 10.91 billion (€2.3 billion).
Gambling and social barriers
Nevertheless, a significant fact that cannot be disregarded is that gambling remains illegal in Indonesia due to religious, cultural, and social considerations. Religious doctrines, which specifically prohibit gambling as haram (forbidden), have a significant influence on national legislation.
Due to its negative impact on both individuals and families, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has continuously condemned gambling in all its forms, including online gambling. Government representatives have also voiced concerns regarding the social effects of gambling.
In 2024, Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi labelled online gambling as “sucking the people’s blood dry,” a reflection of its perceived threat to social and economic stability.
Illegal gambling booms
Yet, illegal gambling persists, and that too quite deeply. In 2024, approximately participated in online gambling, shockingly, including 80,000 children under the age of 10. Financial intelligence agency PPATK reported that online gambling transactions reached $20 billion (€17.6 billion) in 2023.
The government has intensified its efforts by blocking over 3.5 million pieces of online gambling content in 2024 alone. Additionally, it has initiated digital literacy campaigns to educate the public about the risks associated with gambling.
While Malaysia considers implementing stricter regulatory measures, Indonesia’s firm position on gambling is driving many individuals toward offshore and neighboring alternatives. The ongoing challenge is that without better regional cooperation or more effective domestic regulations, attempts to control illegal gambling may prove insufficient.
