[The History and Legacy of Genting Highlands’ Original Casino – A Complete Guide]

When people talk about the “cloud top old casino,” they’re usually referring to the original gambling venue perched high in Malaysia’s Genting Highlands—the very spot that kicked off one of Asia’s most famous resort empires. This article walks you through what that old casino was like, why it mattered, and what visitors should know if they’re searching for traces of it today.

What Was the Cloud Top Old Casino?

The cloud top old casino is a nickname for the first casino floor inside Genting Highlands Resort, which opened way back in 1971. Back then, the resort was tiny compared to the mega-complex you see now. It was a single, modest hotel built on a misty mountain peak, and its casino was the only legal gambling hall in the country at the time.

For decades, this original space sat at the heart of the resort’s entertainment offerings. Locals and tourists came up the winding mountain road not for theme parks or shopping, but for the buzzing tables and slot machines that operated around the clock. Over the years, the casino expanded, moved, and transformed into what is now known as SkyCasino—but the old section still carries a nostalgic pull for many regulars.

Why Is It Called “Cloud Top”?

The name comes from the altitude. Genting Highlands sits about 1,800 meters above sea level, which means clouds literally drift through the buildings. The old casino was often wrapped in fog, giving it a mysterious, almost legendary atmosphere.

Key Features of the Original Casino

People who remember the cloud top old casino usually mention three defining things:

1. Classic Table Games

Before the era of massive electronic gaming floors, the old casino was all about human dealers. You’d find baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and tai sai tables packed together in a compact hall. The lighting was warmer, the smoking area was right beside the tables, and the energy felt more like a traditional Macau gambling den than a modern resort casino.

2. Limited Slot Machines

In the early years, slots were a secondary attraction. A few rows of mechanical one-armed bandits stood near the entrance, mostly for casual players. Today’s sprawling slot sections with touchscreens look nothing like those original metal-and-lever machines.

3. No Windows, No Clocks

Like most classic casinos, the old Genting floor was designed to make you lose track of time. Heavy curtains blocked out the mountain daylight, and the low ceilings made the space feel intimate but intense.

The Old Casino’s Role in Genting’s Growth

Without that first casino, there would be no Genting Highlands as we know it. The revenue from the cloud top old casino funded the theme parks, hotels, and convention centers that came later. It also put Malaysia on the map for regional gambling tourism, even though the country remains predominantly Muslim and gambling is illegal for its citizens outside this one exception.

From One Floor to a Casino Empire

As demand exploded through the 1980s and 1990s, the original gambling floor kept expanding upward and outward. New wings were added. Then came the Genting Grand and the Highlands Hotel. Eventually, the “old” casino became just a small subsection inside a much larger gaming zone. Now, after multiple renovations, the exact original footprint is not clearly marked—but long-time visitors say you can still feel it near the lobby-level area of the current SkyCasino.

What’s There Today?

If you’re hunting for the cloud top old casino now, here’s the honest truth: you cannot enter the old floor as a separate attraction. The resort merged everything into a single giant casino called SkyCasino. You’ll find over 500 tables and 3,000 slot machines spread across multiple levels. But walk toward the older wing, and you’ll notice lower ceilings and narrower walkways—hints that you’re standing in the original space, just completely remodeled.