The future of the industry

In the coming years, Malaysia will combine cautious modernization with heavy-handed oversight.

The basic scenario is the preservation of a limited model: a large ground operator as an anchor of tourist traffic, regulated lotteries and a consistent suppression of unlicensed online gambling.

Point adjustment of taxes and fees, strengthening of KYC/AML and uniform standards of "responsible play" (limits, self-exclusion, age filters) are likely.

The technological vector is the digitalization of the front and back: e-wallet and instant payments, analytics for anti-fraud, biometrics for offline visits, more flexible loyalty programs and "cashless casino" processes.

A legal online market as a separate vertical is unlikely without broad political support, but pilots are possible in the format of limited remote services for lotteries and bets on permitted events.

Tourism will remain a key driver: the development of non-gaming attractions, MICE events, family and premium offers increase revenue with low regulatory risk.

The ESG agenda shifts focus to transparency, protecting vulnerable players and local economic effects (jobs, supply chains).

As a result, the industry is moving towards "smart growth": more technology and service - with constant rigidity to unlicensed online actors.