What are Dubai and UAE Gambling Laws?

As a result of these inquiries, we dug deeper into the legal status and regulatory framework surrounding this type of activity in order to better inform visitors about what they are permitted to do in the UAE and what is strictly prohibited.

Nonetheless, first and foremost, let's look at why it's so important to check the legislation before you leave for your trip.

Make sure you are aware of gambling laws in your destination before you go!

It is critical that you become familiar with the gambling laws that apply to each travel destination before you embark on your journey. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the legal framework and take all necessary precautions before embarking on your adventure.

Given that gambling is considered a grey area in some parts of the world, it is best to educate yourself on the subject before engaging in any gambling. This includes the types of games in which you are permitted to participate, as well as the minimum age requirement for participating in this activity.

Consider the scenario in which you are completely unaware of the rules and unintentionally do something that is considered illegal. In that case, you may be subject to severe legal repercussions.

UAE gambling laws are currently in effect, and they include the following provisions:

Gambling is, first and foremost, prohibited in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to Islamic law, the country's government is corrupt, and this activity is considered sinful from a religious standpoint.

We take into consideration games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and other table games that you would typically find in a land-based casino when compiling this list. According to the facts, this is the reason why there are no brick-and-mortar casinos in the United Arab Emirates.

What happens to players if they make a rash decision to gamble?

Gambling is considered a criminal offence regardless of whether you play in a casino or with your friends. People who break the law, according to the Penal Code, can expect a substantial fine or even detention for up to two years in prison.

What happens to those who decide to open a gambling establishment?

The penalties for those who actually operate a casino are even more severe. In some cases, the maximum sentence can be as long as ten years in prison.

There is, however, a ray of hope for those who wish to engage in these types of entertainment activities.

Gaming activities that are permitted by law

Despite the fact that gambling in the broadest sense is prohibited by law in the United Arab Emirates, there are some activities that players can engage in without fear of legal repercussions in the country.

For example, several types of competitions, such as camel racing, are permitted, and players can place bets on the outcome. Keep in mind, however, that these betting activities may differ significantly from traditional betting and are subject to strict government regulation.

Is it also illegal to gamble on the internet?

In a nutshell, yes.

Because gambling activity in and of itself is not dependent on the location in which you engage in your gameplay, the use of online casinos is also strictly prohibited.

Despite this, some players continue to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to gain access to these sites. There are a number of free variants available for download that are difficult to detect by the strict Internet service providers. This, however, is extremely risky, and players may very well face serious legal consequences as a result of their actions.

Furthermore, the use of such software is condemned and rejected by online casinos. Almost all of them will go so far as to prevent you from accessing their gambling platform or any casino sites associated with the specific company (if that is the case). If you go on vacation or even relocate to a different state where gambling is legal, you will still be barred from accessing that particular website and will be unable to use it entirely.

The following are the reasons why gambling is prohibited:

As previously stated, religion is the primary reason why gambling is considered a criminal offence. A significant portion of the legal framework is based on teachings from the Quran, which considers this activity to be sinful.

This prohibition also serves as a safeguard against the development of a gambling addiction in the future. Many countries around the world are grappling with this condition, which has physical and psychological ramifications that can last a lifetime and are irreversible in nature.

Gambling's illegal status eventually reverts to morality and the ability to win money in a fair and equitable manner. Some table games do, in fact, necessitate the application of specific strategies and abilities in order to win.

Despite this, the majority of them rely heavily on chance. As a result, all winnings derived from these types of games are referred to as 'easy money' by the public.

The future of gambling in the United Arab Emirates

Following the most recent developments, the legal status of gambling in the United Arab Emirates has been established. However, no matter how hard the law tries to maintain and even impose stricter rules, there is always room for rumours and speculation.