Malaysia’s unwavering passion for gaming has become more than a mere pastime in recent years. Today, highly-skilled and much beloved professional players hailing from Malaysia are making waves throughout the local gaming scene by winning major leagues and earning themselves massive prize winnings.
The professional gaming landscape in Malaysia is now teeming with talented players representing their country on a variety of gaming-focused global stages. Their success has caused a surge in local spectator interest for both gaming and esports, fueling a significant increase in esports wagering activities.
From LAN Cafes to Center Stage
For many of the most successful professional players, their journey to fame and fortune likely began in a humble LAN cafe. It was in these spaces that players like Yap “xNova” Jian Wei honed their craft before rising to prominence on international stages dedicated to gaming excellence.
As Malaysian pros found their feet within the international esports arena, their successes started to draw in spectators interested in watching their journey. For many dedicated fans, wagering on the outcomes of matches became an interesting and thrilling way to add a new dimension to their watch experiences.
To cater to a new generation of sports bettors, some trusted and credible gambling operators focused on online betting in Malaysia started to adjust their offerings in order to allow these fans to place wagers on esports games. Today, some of the best sportsbooks have included esports betting options to their platforms.
Gaming fanatics who don’t possess the skill or time necessary to become pro players have found a fun way to participate with esports by engaging with esports betting. On modern betting platforms, individuals who analyze Malaysian pro team statistics, memorize player profiles and study previous match results can use their knowledge to elevate the way they enjoy watching gaming tournaments and leagues.
Betting on the Best
The major successes of local professional gamers including Amirul “Yam” Hisyam and Nur Syahzrin “Nona” Mohamad Fuad in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournaments have done a lot to put Malaysian esports on the map. Their wins have made Malaysian spectators and fans proud and additionally attracted international betting attention.
As Malaysian pro gamers continue to carve out a top place within the international esports arena, their matches are becoming irresistible magnets for spectators and, consequently, Sponsorship opportunities. Esports Sponsors and businesses have taken notice in many of the most prominent teams and have offered lucrative a number of sponsorship deals to teams and players in recent years.
One the most profitable partnerships that exists today is the one between Infinix Malaysia and the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia champions, HomeBois. Infinix Malaysia, one of the top mobile phone brands in the country, has been in partnership with HomeBois since the start of the MPL Malaysia Season 12.
Exploring the Phenomenon
Even though the esports phenomenon has grown at a rapid, almost dizzying pace in recent times, the growth can be explained relatively easily. Esports offers even the most casual fans an entertaining, dynamic and unpredictable spectacle that’s notably different from traditional sports.
The remarkable displays of skill from players combined with nail-bitingly close finishes provide spectators endless amounts of excitement when watching live games. And for many of the most dedicated Malaysian fans, wagering on outcomes adds another thrilling layer to an already captivating experience.
Interest in Malaysian esports viewing and betting can also be attributed to a variety of other specific factors:
Mobile Phone Use: The country currently boasts one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Southeast Asia, with almost 90% of the population glued to their mobile devices. Malaysia is also home to around 26.80 million social media users, which is around 78.5% of the country’s total population.
Affordability and Accessibility: Unlike traditional sports betting, which usually requires a person to visit a physical establishment to place a bet, esports wagering is readily accessible on mobile devices. This convenience, combined with pretty low minimum wagering amounts, makes it interesting to diverse audiences, including new generations of incredibly tech-savvy people.
Government Support: Investments and support from Malaysia’s government, along with the country’s large pool of around 14 million gamers makes esports a space full of potential. Further interest in esports and wagering can create more economic opportunities by attracting sponsorships, investments and facilitating job creation within the gaming industry.
Understanding the Economic Potential of Esports
As the Malaysian esports landscape continues to attract new players, spectators and investors, its overall impact on the national economy is bound to grow. This makes the scene a compelling space for new regulatory frameworks to further boost responsible and profitable growth.
As it stands, the legal situation surrounding online betting in Malaysia is up for debate. While traditional forms of gambling like horse racing and lotteries are currently legal, online sports betting, including esports, is technically not permitted. However, a lack of clear regulations hasn’t hindered Malaysians from accessing offshore betting platforms in any reasonable way.
Closing Thoughts
When considering the existing esports scene in Malaysia, it’s clear that the gaming scene is thriving. The future of Malaysian esports betting is also bright, as long as players are responsible about how they participate. With a growing talent pool, wealthy sponsors and a tech-savvy audience, the scene is perfectly situated for exponential growth. As Malaysian pro teams continue to compete on the global stage, their wins will continue to attract new fans and undoubtedly fuel a vibrant esports wagering environment for many years to come.