What are the Gambling Laws in the UAE?
Again, is it Legal to Gamble in the UAE? This question is constantly evolving as the UAE is constantly changing.
Let’s start from the basics – technically speaking, gambling is illegal in the UAE, mainly because of religious beliefs. However, some gambling practices are still culturally popular in some Emirati states. A legal framework, the GCGRA, has also been created in the UAE. Launched in 2023, it is the first gambling authoritative body to license some forms of games.
Considering these as fundamental legal concepts in the UAE, we shall discuss the gambling practices below.
Lottery
The Lottery was the first thing that GCGRA licensed in 2024, giving licences to specific companies, such as Game LLC, to legally operate lottery draws.
Still, Lotto was and still is widely practised in Dubai and other Emirati states, primarily through a philanthropical code of ethics, where some of the profits were returned to the community. It was and still is popular in airports such as Dubai, with Dubai Millennium Millionaire acting as one of the popular lottery agents in the UAE.
Online Casinos
Online casinos are not technically legal in the UAE yet. Still, it is common to find online casinos in Dubai and the Emirates. These casinos are generally international brands that offer great bonuses and deals to Emirati players.
So, how do Emirates players or expats living in the UAE manage to play at online casinos? Generally, they use a VPN system and/or cryptocurrencies. There is a section below that will discuss this further.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has been at the heart of the UAE culture and reflects the expansive territory of the country, with some of the wealthiest UAE Sheiks building some of the vastest horse racing courses in the world.
In 1996, these attracted world attention as the Dubai World Cup happened for the first time at Emitrates’ Meydan Racecourse, considered one of the richest race courses in the Meydan Racecourse.
As a side note, Camel racing is also a popular cultural practice in some Emirati states. w
Land Based Casinos
UAE Land-Based Casinos are completely forbidden – reflecting yet again the overall anti-gambling culture in the Emirates. This, however, is also changing.
How? GCGRA has secured its first even land-based casino license for the new luxurious resort Wynn Resorts project in Ras Al Khaimah, including a massive land-based casino. The project is ongoing and planned to be completed by 2027, by which time GCGRA will issue the promised licence.
Gambling Practices in the 7 UAE States
in the below section, we shall outline the gambling laws and practices in each of the 7 Emirati states.
| UAE State Name | Gambling Practices |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | The capital city of UAE is strict in enforcing the anti-gambling federal law. Still, you can find multiple horse and camel racing events as common cultural practices. |
| Dubai | Ras Al Khaimah does allow for gaming options that operate strictly as hotel-based. Importantly, the site is seeing a massive hotel construction site that has secured the first-ever-issued land-based casino licence. The casino resort will be finished by 2027. |
| Sharjah | Sharjah is definitely one of the strictest states when it comes to enforcing federal laws, including anti-gambling laws. These enforcements are done through highlighted cultural and religious practices. |
| Ajman | Cultural sports such as falconry and camel racing are very common in Ajman. They are typically held during festivals and/or cultural events. |
| Umm Al Quwain | This state is also a big law enforcer when it comes the federal anti-gambling laws. Umm, Al Qaiwan is still, however, keen on horse and camel racing, which is officially legal within this state. |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah does allow for gaming options that operate strictly as hotel-based. Importantly, the site is seeing a massive hotel construction see construction that has secured the first-ever-issued land-based casino licence. The casino resort will be finished by 2027. |
| Fujairah | Fujairah is also known to host multiple camel and horse racing events. All other gambling activities are prohibited, and the anti-gambling federal law is enforced accordingly. |
Is it safe to play at UAE casinos?
First and foremost, all the UAE casinos we review are safe. Still, how do we decide they are safe? It’s because world-trusted authoritative bodies properly license them. These are some top licensing bodies, which you can find as licensing bodies in our casino reviews:
Fairness and Trustworthiness
Being adequately licensed means that the casino has to follow safety procedures strictly. This means that the online casino platform has to embody the following:
- They have an SSL-encrypted system to safeguard GDPR standards
- Their games are RNG-tested to make sure that games are not rigged
- Transparency through provided menus such as Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy etc
- Only deemed safe payment providers ar offered
Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling is another core feature that is essential to find in each UAE online casino you visit. This page can be found in all the online casinos’ footer menus.
Once clicked, the casino offers all sorts of information and tips on Responsible Gambling, including setting time limits and budgets; it also points you to any help services you might require with the relevant links.
Common Gambling Practices in the UAE
Since the legal framework of online gambling is not straightforward in the UAE, below are some common practices UAE players can refer to to play more easily.
Use of VPNs
Both UAE citizens and expats commonly use VPNs to access casino sites. This means that players can play more at their own discretion while still enjoying casino bonuses and tailor-made offers for UAE players.
Popular use of Cryptos
Cryptos have become a fast sensation in just a decade, and they have become a very popular payment option in the UAE casinos we feature. It is common for Emirati players to search for crypto casinos as these offer more discreet standards to standard AUD FIAT payment options.
Mobile Use
Online casino experience can also be enjoyed from mobile – since all online UAE casinos offer a mobile-optimized platform that can be played from all mobile devices. It is also common to find online casinos investing in casino apps.
Online Gambling Emirates – The Present and Future
The online gambling experience in the Emirates is currently restrictive, but ever since the launch of the GCGRA licensing body in 2023, the legal scenario has been quickly shifting. The lottery is the first gambling entity to be licensed, and a land-based casino is secured for 2027. This seems to be a promising mark that will also see the recognition of online gambling take shape.
