Malaysia’s Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) has vowed to close Resorts World, Genting Highlands—the country’s only casino—if it wins the state of Pahang in the next general election.
With the general elections due before early 2028, making manifesto promises may seem preemptive. Still, that hasn’t stopped Malaysia’s largest Islamic party, PAS, from making headlines for urging voters to choose the party if they want to see an end to gambling in the country.
PAS is currently the largest party in the Malaysian parliament, having won 43 of the 222 seats in 2022. The party controls four of Malaysia’s 13 states but not Pahang.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, is home to a diverse populace which includes Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus.
Gambling has been allowed in the state of Pahang since Genting was first issued a license in 1969. And despite rumours earlier this year of a second casino in Forest City, Johor—a project between Genting and a second Malaysian conglomerate, Berjaya—no other casino licenses have been issued.
Moneymaker
With a market monopoly, Resorts World is a moneymaker for the country. It welcomes over 24 million visitors annually and saw gross gambling revenue of RM6.42 billion (£1.06bn ) in 2023. The government collects a 35 percent share of this revenue as taxes.
Going Against the Grain
Despite Resorts World being an economic heavyweight, PAS believes that the casino should be shuttered because gambling is haram according to Islamic Law, followed by the Muslim majority of Pahang, which makes up 75 percent of the state’s population.
However, this goes against the grain of the growing gambling liberalisation witnessed worldwide, which has reached even the strictest of Islamic countries like the United Arab Emirates, which last month announced it would be launching its first national lottery, followed by other forms of gaming.
Hurdles Ahead
Malaysia’s federal government grants casino licenses. Hence, even if PAS secures an election win in Pahang, it may be unable to keep its promise without the federal government’s support.
Moreover, with the explosion of casinos and resorts in the nearby Philippines and well-established industries in Vietnam and Singapore, closing Resorts World would unlikely prevent gambling; instead, it would likely incentivise it elsewhere, removing tax revenue and jobs from the Malaysian economy.
Resorts World has yet to comment.
