Malaysia Casino Guide: Genting Highlands Rules, Floors and Tiers

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, and gambling is generally prohibited there. Only one place in the country is allowed to operate a casino: Genting Highlands, a resort area on a mountaintop about 1,800 meters 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, including the minimum age of 21 and admission for non-Muslims only.

This article takes about 9 minutes to read.

What Is Genting Highlands? Background to Malaysia’s Government-Licensed Casino

Resorts World Genting, the integrated resort on this mountaintop, offers hotels, a theme park and a shopping mall in addition to the casino.

Why Genting Highlands Is the Only Legal Casino in Malaysia

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, and in principle gambling is prohibited. The legal basis is the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, under which gaming houses are, in principle, illegal.

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

The Malaysian law firm Tiong & Woon explains this on its blog as follows.

You are allowed to game or gamble only in the places licensed by the authority i.e. Ministry of Finance. The licensed places in Malaysia are Casinos in the Genting Resorts or Genting Highlands, Toto, Magnum, Damacai, and a Clubhouse in Ipoh called Han Chin Pet Soo.

Source: Tiong & Woon Blog, “What are your rights to common gaming or gambling as Malaysians under the law…”

In other words, gambling such as casino games and lotteries (Toto, Magnum and Damacai) is permitted only at places licensed by the Ministry of Finance.

Genting Highlands is that exception: the only place in Malaysia licensed to operate a casino.

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That picture is somewhat out of date.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 centers 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 meters (10,000–20,000 square feet).

Floors Closed for Renovation (Circus Palace / Hollywood)

Two main gaming floors, Circus Palace and Hollywood, closed on February 28, 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 and the latest local information before you travel.

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, with six themed rooms named after gemstones.

Entry Rules at Genting Highlands

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

The information below is accurate as of August 2026. Age limits, dress codes, entry conditions, cash declaration thresholds, membership benefits and tournament schedules may change, so check each venue’s official website before you travel.

Age Limit and Passport Requirement

Only guests aged 21 or older may enter. The age limit is stated on the signs at the casino entrance and is a condition of Malaysia’s casino license.

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

• No entry for anyone under 21
• No entry for Muslims (non-Muslims only)
• No entry for government employees or military personnel

The religious restriction exists because Islam is Malaysia’s official religion. Staff may check your religion or occupation at the entrance.

For identification, foreign visitors must present their original passport. Photocopies or photos on your phone are not accepted, so always bring the original.

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 pants
• Avoid very casual clothing, such as flip-flops or swimwear
• Decisions at the entrance vary from one staff member to another, so err on the side of caution

Currency Exchange, Chips and Taking Cash Out of Malaysia

Casino chips are bought in the local currency, the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). The casino may not have a currency exchange counter, so it is easier to exchange money in advance in Kuala Lumpur or at the airport.

When taking cash out of the country, you also need to follow the rules published by Bank Negara Malaysia, the country’s central bank.

If you plan to take a large amount of money home, either keep it below this threshold or declare it correctly.

What Is Genting Rewards? The Membership Program 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 program 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 pays to understand the program before your stay.

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 travel 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 program as having three tiers, Silver, Gold and Black, but this is inaccurate. The official program has four tiers, including Classic, and there is no Black tier.

To get a membership card, show your passport at the dedicated counter in the casino, and a free Classic card is issued on the spot. 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 Programs

Online casino loyalty programs also use tiers, but the benefits themselves are quite different.

• Land-based casino (Genting Rewards): your tier depends on your activity during your stays, and the main benefits, such as private lounges, can only be used on site
• Online casinos: rewards are mainly linked to the amounts you deposit and bet, and everything takes place online

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. Do not use fake online casino sites that use the Genting name.

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, so if you are thinking of taking part, check the latest dates on the official website or in specialist poker media.

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.

That is why setting an amount you can afford to lose before you play matters more than looking for ways to win.

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

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

Know the Official Support Programs

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

One of these is the Self-Exclusion Program, which lets you restrict your own entry to the casino for a set period. It gives you a way to keep your distance when you find yourself drawn back to the tables again and again.

Other tools include a self-assessment for reviewing your gambling and a way to set spending limits.

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 24-hour hotline (contact details are listed on the Responsible Gaming page of the official website)
• The Life Line Association Malaysia counseling helpline

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 visit.

How do I get to Genting Highlands?

Most international visitors fly into Kuala Lumpur. From the airport, travel into the city, for example to KL Sentral, and continue to Genting Highlands by car or bus (about one hour); the Awana SkyWay cable car also serves the resort.

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

In Malaysia, where Islam is the official religion, 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 program has four tiers, starting with Classic, rather than the “Silver, Gold and Black” tiers that are sometimes reported.

Because Genting Highlands is the only legal casino in the country, its rules are strict. No one under 21 is admitted, entry is limited to non-Muslims, cash above the declaration threshold must be declared when you take it out of Malaysia, and a self-exclusion program is available to help prevent excessive gambling.

Whether it is your first visit or a return trip, knowing these rules in advance lets you relax and enjoy the resort.