Genting Casino Guide: Entry Age, MyKad, Floors and Rewards Tiers

In Malaysia, gambling is legal only where the Ministry of Finance has issued a licence, and Muslims are prohibited from gambling under Islamic law. Only one place in the country is licensed to operate a casino: Genting Highlands, a mountaintop resort area about 1,800 metres above sea level.

What You Will Learn

• Genting Highlands is home to Malaysia’s only government-licensed casino.
• Check the entry rules before you go: you must be 21 or over, Malaysian citizens must be non-Muslim, and you need to bring your MyKad.

This article takes about 9 minutes to read.

Genting Highlands: Background to Malaysia’s Government-Licensed Casino

The casino is part of Resorts World Genting, the integrated resort operated by Genting Malaysia Berhad, alongside its hotels, theme park and shopping mall.

Why Genting Highlands Is the Only Legal Casino in Malaysia

In Malaysia, gambling is prohibited unless it is licensed, and Muslims are also prohibited from gambling under Islamic law. The legal basis is the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, under which gaming houses are illegal without a licence.

There is an exception, however. A business that obtains a licence from the Ministry of Finance can operate legally.

Besides the casino, the legal forms of gambling in Malaysia are number forecast games such as 4D, sold at licensed outlets (Magnum 4D, Sports Toto and Da Ma Cai in Peninsular Malaysia, and separate operators in Sabah and Sarawak), and tote betting on horse racing run by the turf clubs. There is no licensed online casino or sports betting in Malaysia.

For casinos, Genting Highlands is the only place in Malaysia licensed to operate one.

Casino Floors at Genting Highlands

When people think of the casino at Genting Highlands, they may picture three venues: Casino de Genting, First World Casino and SkyCasino.

That picture is somewhat out of date. Since 2024, the layout of the gaming floors has changed considerably. Below is the current layout, based on information from industry media and specialist databases.

Main Floors Currently Open (SkyCasino / Genting Casino)

The casino at Genting Highlands currently centres on the following two floors.

• SkyCasino: Currently the largest casino floor. It spans two levels and offers a wide selection of slot machines and table games.
• Genting Casino: A new floor that opened at the end of December 2024. It has two areas: one with a traditional Chinese design and one with a look similar to SkyCasino. The floor area is roughly 930–1,860 square metres (10,000–20,000 square feet).

Floors Closed for Renovation and Their Current Status (Circus Palace / Hollywood)

Two main gaming floors, Circus Palace and Hollywood, closed on 28 February 2024. Their status has changed since then.

In short, Hollywood has reopened, and only Circus Palace remains closed. Which floors are open can change quickly, so check the official website before you go.

Private Areas by Membership Tier (Genting Rewards Gold and Above, Platinum)

The casino at Genting Highlands also has private areas that are open only to members of certain tiers.

Crockfords Platinum Club / Private is the top-tier area.

Entry Rules at Genting Highlands

Below are the rules worth knowing before you visit the casino.

This information is accurate as of August 2026. Entry conditions, membership benefits and tournament schedules may change, so check the Resorts World Genting website before you go.

Age Limit and ID Requirement

Only guests aged 21 or older may enter. The age limit is stated on the signs at the casino entrance.

The entrance signs also list conditions other than the age limit.

• No entry for anyone under 21
• No entry for Malaysian citizens who are Muslim
• No entry for government servants or military personnel

The religious restriction reflects the prohibition on gambling for Muslims under Islamic law. Staff may check your religion or occupation at the entrance.

For identification, bring your original MyKad. Photocopies or photos on your phone may not be accepted, so always bring the card itself. Foreign residents should bring their passport.

Dress Code and What to Bring

The casino does not post a written dress code, and enforcement at the entrance is not consistent. To avoid being turned away, it is safest to dress more formally than you think is necessary.

The following guidelines will help.

• Dress neatly, for example in a collared shirt and long trousers
• Avoid very casual clothing, such as slippers or swimwear
• Decisions at the entrance vary from one staff member to another, so err on the side of caution

Chips, Cash and Budgeting at the Casino

Chips are bought at the casino in Malaysian ringgit (RM). Decide on your budget before you set off, and bring only the amount you have set aside for the visit.

What Is Genting Rewards? The Membership Programme at Genting Highlands

If you spend some time at the casino, floor staff may ask whether you have a Genting Rewards card. Genting Rewards is the official membership programme used across all of Genting Highlands, and members earn points on dining and shopping as well as gaming.

The benefits you receive depend on whether you are registered, so it is worth understanding the programme before your visit.

Tier Benefits and How to Get a Membership Card

Genting Rewards has four tiers. Moving up a tier depends on how many Tier Points (TP) you have earned.

Official website: https://www.rwgenting.com/en/genting-rewards/promotions/loyalty-tier.html

At the Classic and Silver tiers, the benefits are mainly practical conveniences, such as free cable car rides and access to priority lanes. From Gold upward, members can enter private areas in the casino, which is the first benefit that makes a real difference to players.

Some articles describe the programme as having three tiers, Silver, Gold and Black, but this is inaccurate. The official programme has four tiers, including Classic, and there is no Black tier.

To get a membership card, show your MyKad (or, for foreign residents, a passport) at the dedicated counter in the casino, and a free Classic card is issued on the spot. Gaming membership is for people aged 21 and over; people under 21, Malaysian Muslims and guests who do not play in the casino can hold a non-gaming SkyCard. The more you play, the more Tier Points you earn, and each move up a tier opens more areas to you.

How It Differs from Online Casino Loyalty Programmes

Genting Rewards is a land-based programme: your tier depends on your activity during your visits, and benefits such as private areas can only be used on site.

Online casinos are not licensed in Malaysia, so no comparable, legally protected programme exists for Malaysian players. Players who use these sites have no Malaysian legal protection, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocks illegal gambling websites.

The official Resorts World Genting website also carries a standing warning about online gambling sites that use the Genting Malaysia name and logo without permission. Any website or app offering online casino games under the Genting name is not connected to Resorts World Genting.

Poker Tournaments at Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is known not only for its casino but also for hosting international poker tournaments.

Regular Poker Tournaments

The best-known event held regularly at Genting Highlands is Poker Dream.

Poker Dream is an international poker festival series that tours Asia, with stops in South Korea and Taiwan as well as Malaysia. As of 2026, more than 20 editions have been held, and Genting Highlands is one of its main venues.

Main event prize pools run to several million ringgit, and the series draws players from around the world.

The schedule changes every year; see the official website or specialist poker media for current dates.

If you want to use the private high-roller areas during a tournament, you need to meet the membership tier requirements.

Bankroll Management and Responsible Gambling

When people think about casinos, they tend to focus on how to win. In practice, deciding in advance how much you are willing to spend does more good than any winning strategy.

Setting a Budget

There is no guaranteed way to win at a casino. Every game has its own return to player (RTP) and probabilities, and the longer you play, the more your results will reflect the house edge.

So decide how much you can afford to lose before you play.

• Before your visit, set a maximum amount for the day
• Once you have used up the day’s budget, stop, whether you are winning or losing
• Keep your gambling budget separate from living expenses and the cost of getting there, and treat it as money you can afford to lose

Budgeting this way helps you avoid chasing losses. The thought “I’ll win it back tomorrow” only makes losses bigger.

Know the Official Support Programmes

Resorts World Genting runs an official Responsible Gaming programme. It goes beyond a statement of principle and includes practical tools.

The permanent casino self-exclusion stops you from entering the casino. A revocation can be requested only after six months and is subject to review. For a shorter break, a temporary seven-day self-exclusion works as a cooling-off period.

The Set My Limit tool lets Genting Rewards members aged 21 and over set time-at-game, time-of-day and daily spending limits on electronic gaming machines. Inside the casino, the Responsible Gaming Corner is open daily from noon to midnight.

If you feel you may be spending more than you intended, you do not have to deal with it alone. You can contact the following services.

• The Resorts World Genting Responsible Gaming hotline: +603 6105 9557 (24 hours)
• Befrienders Kuala Lumpur: +603-7627 2929 (free, confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Malaysia have a state-run casino?

“Government-licensed” is more accurate than “state-run.” Genting Highlands is the only casino in Malaysia licensed by the Ministry of Finance, and it is operated by a private company, Genting Malaysia Berhad.

Is the casino at Genting Highlands open 24 hours?

In general, yes. However, the resort has several casino floors, and opening hours may vary with renovations and operating conditions, so check the latest status before you go.

How do I get to Genting Highlands?

From Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands is about an hour away by car or bus. You can drive to the top or take the Awana SkyWay cable car up to the resort.

Summary: Malaysia’s Only Legal Casino Comes with Strict Entry Rules

In Malaysia, the mountaintop resort of Genting Highlands is the only place where casino gambling is legal.

The layout of the casino floors has changed significantly since 2024, and the membership programme has four tiers, starting with Classic, rather than the “Silver, Gold and Black” tiers that are sometimes reported.

The entry rules are strict: no one under 21 is admitted and Malaysian citizens must be non-Muslim. For those who need it, a self-exclusion programme is also available.

Knowing these rules in advance lets you plan your visit and enjoy the resort with confidence.