Malaysia is a gaming hub in Southeast Asia, with an online games market that is projected to reach $26 million in revenue this year. The country is full of millions of avid video and casino gamers. It’s estimated that by 2027 there will be 4.9 million online gaming users in Malaysia.
While gamer’s preferences vary, from what games they play to what platforms they frequent, all gamers have one thing in common. They must fund their playtime and choose a payment method to do so.
A Snapshot of Online Gaming In Malaysia
Online gaming in Malaysia includes a variety of gaming activities, like video gaming and casino gaming. Video gaming has seen a huge amount of growth in recent years, especially with esports becoming a popular sport in Malaysia and the country hosting several large tournaments.
Casino gaming is also popular in Malaysia, although it is more heavily regulated than the video gaming industry. While there are a few traditional in-person casinos in Malaysia, wagering online is still a legal gray area in the country. Because of this, online casino gaming in Malaysia is typically played at offshore international sites. Khadija Bilal shares that these sites are ideal for Malaysian players as they can be accessed from anywhere in the world, but are registered and licensed in countries with more lenient gambling laws.
Both the online video gaming and casino gaming sectors in Malaysia are thriving and have room for further growth.
Popular Online Gaming Payment Methods
There are many different payment methods to suit Malaysian players’ online gaming preferences. Let’s explore some of the most popular ways to pay when playing online in Malaysia.
E-Wallets
E-wallets are a relatively new way to pay but are one of the most favored payment methods by Malaysian players online. E-wallets work well when paying for video game extras or funding online gambling accounts. Popular e-wallet providers typically used by Malaysian players include GrabPay, Boost, and Touch ‘n Go, which is reportedly the most popular wallet, used by 92% of Malaysians.
Malaysia is full of tech-savvy gamers who enjoy the ease and convenience that e-wallets provide. E-wallets are known to offer players quick deposits and withdrawals and have friendly interfaces making them easy to use and convenient for day-to-day video and casino gaming activities.
Bank Transfers
Some may be surprised to learn that bank transfers are still a popular way to fund gaming accounts in Malaysia. Bank transfers are known to be secure and safe and allow players to transfer large amounts directly from their bank accounts into their casino or video gaming accounts. Bank transfers remain popular for large transactions, but they do take longer to complete than other payment types, like e-wallet transfers.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are a popular payment method in Malaysia to fund casino and video gaming accounts. Prepaid cards allow players a certain level of convenience as well as anonymity, which many players seek.
Prepaid gaming cards are widely available in Malaysia. Gamers can purchase a prepaid card, top it up for a certain amount, and then use those funds for gaming until the card balance is depleted. Popular card types include Paysafecard and AstroPay.
Cryptocurrencies
Digital currencies are gaining popularity in Malaysia and becoming more commonly used for online video gaming and casino gaming. Many international offshore casino sites that Malaysian gamers access accept cryptocurrency, providing extra layers of privacy and security. In addition, many crypto casinos offer anonymous play. Anonymous casinos that accept cryptocurrency are becoming popular as some gamers prefer to keep their gaming private.
Debit/Credit Cards
Funding gaming accounts with credit and debit cards remains a popular option for Malaysian players. Plastic cards are easy to use and accepted across a variety of sites, making them a user-friendly and accessible option for both video and casino gaming.