Arbusers

If you were wondering if betting is legal in Dubai, you've come to the right place—this article tackles the nooks and crannies of the issue. So, let's look at the legal regulations related to betting in Dubai and how to handle them.

Is betting legal in Dubai?

All forms of gambling are banned throughout the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Abu Dhabi. Thus, Dubai has no legal casinos, card rooms, lotteries, or sports betting options. Even cruise ships docking at the shores have to stop all gambling activities and can go back to them only when out of Emirati waters. Not only is gambling not permitted in the UAE, but even hazard-related ads are controversial.

Why does UAE forbid betting?

UAE is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. It's also the top business destination in the Middle East. Affluent people that regularly flock in to Dubai could easily attract even more prosperity to the country if they were allowed to bet. According to Dubai City Guide, consenting betting would bring in an astounding amount of money through tourism, wagers, and advertising.

Many websites, such as the Guts.com online casino operator, offer betting odds on sports like horse racing and cricket that take place in the UAE. Dubai World Cup is the most profitable horse race on Earth, with a prize jackpot of $10 million and approximately 50,000 people attending the event. Horse races at Meydan Racecourse host a large number of thoroughbreds from all parts of the world, and the local Arabian horses competing against each other, often for big cash prizes. Yet, it remains illegal to offer wagers from within the UAE.

So, why is the government resistant to permitting wagering?

The reason is pretty straightforward. Betting throughout UAE is banned due to Islamic religious foundations. Many laws and rules across the UAE are based on passages found in the Quran, the main religious text of Islam.

With betting, it all boils down to the idea that money must be earned through hard, honest work instead of being won by luck. According to religion, indulging in games of chance is considered a sin created by Satan (Shaytaan). It is said to provoke hatred and enmity between friends and family. Yet, throughout history, Muslim scholars have acknowledged that participating in challenges, competitions, and sports is reasonable and even virtuous. As a consequence, the government legalised a long list of games. Still, betting, lotteries, and raffles are either entirely forbidden or at least frowned upon.

Can you bet in Dubai despite the regulations?

Given all the restrictions, are there ways to continue gambling and placing wagers in Dubai without breaking the law? The good news is that Islamic law doesn't manage to cut all the forms of gambling from the country. So even though offline and online gambling is illegal in Dubai, Muslims gamble anyway.

With a strong ethical stance against gambling they have, the UAE government don't place equally strict restrictions on online gambling opportunities provided by foreign-based operators. The truth is that law enforcement often neglects the online part of gambling due to its vast reach and difficulty detecting problems. Hence, it's unlikely to be caught gambling online in Dubai. Police would have to come to the bettor's house and prove that they've been playing, which is unlikely to happen. So, gamblers turn to online casinos that accept UAE-based players, such as Microgaming, Play'n Go, Betsoft, NetEnt and Playtech.

Also, some specialised online casinos are explicitly made for UAE residents but aren't discussed openly. These websites offer a safe and secure gambling experience, and bettors can access them in some areas of the country. All in all, witnessing Dubai becoming the new Las Vegas-like gambling centre is doubtful. Yet, there are ways to make your online betting experience happen.

Betting is not legal in Dubai but the 0% tax rate and the cash market paradise attract people who get rich from gambling but they don't gamble them selves. The cash market and the OTC transactions also attract people around the crypto industry.