Gambling is currently illegal in the UAE but there are signs that the regulatory environment is changing.

Read on below to learn about the history of gambling law in the UAE and potential future developments.

UAE gambling laws

Gambling is defined in Section 8 of the UAE’s Penal Code as any game “whereby each of the parties thereto agrees - in case of losing - to pay to the winner a certain sum of money or any other thing agreed upon”.

Penalties and punishments

Gambling is punishable by a fine of up to 50,000 AED and a jail sentence of up to two years.

The specific wording of the relevant legislation states that this punishment is applicable “if the crime is committed in a public place or a place opened to the public or business premises or a house prepared and equipped for gambling”.

CGCRA

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) was established by Federal Law by Decree in September 2023 as the official regulator of commercial gaming in UAE.

It was established 18 months after major US casino operator, Wynn, announced it was to develop a resort in Ras Al Khaimah featuring a large licensed gaming area.

The legal entity developing the resort has since been granted a license by the CGCRA.

The GCGRA senior leadership team features top business leaders from the global gambling industry, along with highly respected lawyers specializing in real estate and gaming law.

Exceptions to general gambling laws

There are some exceptions and carve-outs which allow for ‘competitions with prizes’ in the UAE in certain circumstances, such as lotteries and at certain sports events.

UAE lotteries

Lotteries have been around in the UAE for a number of years. However, all but three lotteries suspended operations following the establishment of the CGCRA.

The first entity awarded a license by the CGCRA was ‘The Game LLC’, which operates the official UAE lottery.

The UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day main draw features a AED 100 million jackpot and tickets are exclusively available online.

Players can also buy virtual scratchcards on the UAE Lottery’s official site.

Two other existing lottery-style games - Big Ticket and Dubai Duty Free - have been allowed to continue operating under CGCRA supervision.

Sports events

Horse racing is an important part of traditional culture in the UAE and Dubai is home to the world-renowned Meydan Racecourse which can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators.

Unlike racecourses in many other countries, trackside betting is not allowed at Meydan Racecourse.

However, anyone with a valid entry ticket can participate in a free Pick 7 prediction competition with a total prize pool of AED 385,000.

Dubai Racing Club also runs a Lucky Draw on race nights where ticket holders and members can win cash prizes or a car.

These activities are broadly governed by section 4 of Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 concerning ‘Contracts of hazard (gharar)’ which outlines circumstances where ‘competitions with prizes’ are permissible in ‘running, shooting, sports, or preparation for trials of strength.

For a ‘contract of competition' to be valid, it must meet the following requirements:

  • The prize must be known and the person giving the prize must be specified
  • The description of the subject matter must be clearly defined (for example, the specific distance of a race and winning conditions) must be known

Online gambling in the UAE

Many international online betting sites and online casinos (i.e., sites awarded operating licenses by other jurisdictions such as Curaçao) are accessible in the UAE.

Others are accessible by UAE players who use a VPN for gambling.

Media content standards, covering “broadcasting, publishing, printing and distributing printed and digital information and news that reaches the public” in the UAE, are outlined in Federal Decree by Law No. (55).

The Decree does not mention online gambling specifically, but Article 17 states that published media must, among other things, respect Islamic beliefs and prevailing values in society.

Violating these standards can land publishers fines of up to AED 2 million.

Generally speaking, it is tricky for UAE authorities to prosecute publishers who are based outside of the UAE, which is one reason why many international platforms remain active.

However, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority can force internet providers to block websites that provide access to ‘prohibited content’, as per its Internet Access Management Regulatory Policy.

It is worth noting that the legislation summarised above focuses on the publishers/service providers and not the individuals accessing the content/services.

Are there casinos in Dubai?

There are currently no casinos in Dubai, or anywhere else in the UAE.

The first fully licensed casino resort near Dubai is Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, less than one hour away from Dubai International Airport. It is scheduled to open in 2027.

According to its website, the CGCRA aims “to drive sustainable growth by cultivating world-class commercial gaming operations and implementing efficient regulation, grounded in the principles of integrity, innovation, and responsible practices”.

The CGCRA has already issued licenses to the official lottery operator, a land-based gaming facility, and several gaming-related vendors.

Licenses for online gambling appear likely to be issued in the future, especially since the CGCRA already offers license categories for internet gaming and sports betting. This would dramatically change the online gambling landscape in the UAE.

UAE Gambling Guide is committed to providing useful, factual information. We do not condone illegal activity and players should always do their own due diligence before attempting to access online gambling services in the UAE.