As the largest city of the United Arab Emirates (or UAE), Dubai has become well-known throughout the world as one of the most important places of business in the Middle East. To many, the city and the UAE are almost synonymous, and while that’s not quite accurate, it’s an understandable misconception: along with Abu Dhabi, it is one of only two of the seven emirates that make up the nation that have veto power over legislation due to their importance.
When it comes to matters of gaming, however, Dubai follows essentially the same rules as the rest of the country. That means you’ll see virtually no gambling here – the strict Islamic government leaves no wiggle room in its laws for betting activity to flourish. That has led many would-be gamblers in the country to seek greener pastures on the internet, where there are many foreign online casinos that accept players from Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
Given the UAE’s strong ethical stance against all forms of gaming, it would be shocking to find out that they condoned online gambling – and, of course, they do not. The prohibitions in place extend to the Internet, and strong cyber-security laws have been passed to ensure that there are specific rules against running online gambling sites in the country.
But even those laws have one little to deter online casinos based in other countries from targeting residents here. Also, unlike some other Middle Easter nations, there has been little done to block players from accessing these sites. That means that, in practice, many firms view Dubai as just another grey market, and players have been able to freely wager real money on a variety of casino games and other gambling enterprises on these offshore sites.
It's also important to note that when you play at any online casino and wish to use real money, you cannot bet with the local currency. All bets and wagering should be done in US dollars to be on the safe side.
For those players who still wish to try gambling online at some of the best online casinos, there are numerous banking methods you can choose from. Have a look at our list below and see which one works best for you:
All these payment methods come with different fees and waiting times, so always read the banking agreements at any online casino. We also always recommend that you should play at online casinos in Dubai for real money only in the privacy of your own home or through a VPN, just to be safe. We also advise sticking to more discreet payment methods, such as e-wallets, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrencies.
Not all of the world’s biggest gaming firms offer their games in Dubai: some of the largest companies are wary of venturing into markets where there is no way to earn a license or otherwise get governmental approval, as that could threaten their efforts in regulated markets. But there are still plenty of reputable software developers who license out their games to dozens of trustworthy online casinos in Dubai, making it easy to find a safe place to play. Just a few of the top providers that power online gambling sites in Dubai include:
You cannot gamble legally in Dubai, much as you cannot do so anywhere else in the UAE. Like Saudi Arabia, the culture and government of this country are severely against gambling, because they view games of chance and engaging in such play as one of the greater sins. Of course, this doesn’t mean that no Muslims gamble, or that scholars completely agree over what is banned and what is not. But betting with real money is disapproved of on religious grounds, so Islamic nations are fairly uniform in their bans on such activity.
That means that there are no casinos in Dubai, despite the fact that there is a significant amount of business travel and tourism coming into the area. You also won’t find any lotteries, legal sports betting opportunities, or card rooms here – all brick-and-mortar betting is strictly prohibited.
That being said, there are some activities that could easily be turned into betting enterprises if the government was interested in allowing it to happen. Most obviously, there is horse racing, which takes place at several tracks in the area. The Meydan Racecourse is perhaps the most famous arena, featuring both dirt and turf tracks in which local Arabian horses and Thoroughbreds from around the world compete – sometimes for huge cash prizes. The biggest race of the season is the Dubai World Cup, which has seen some of the world’s best horses compete for millions of dollars.
Alas, while bettors around the world are able and fond of wagering on this international race and other contests that take place in the city, there is no way to bet on these races while in the UAE – at least not legally. While it may seem tempting to find someone else to take your bet, we’d have to caution against that, given the very strict laws in the country against illegal gambling. Serious punishments, including long prison sentences, await those caught running illegal gaming establishments, and even those caught placing bets at these locations can face some jail time or hefty fines.
If you’re hoping to see more liberal gaming policy come to Dubai anytime soon, we’re sorry to disappoint you, but there is very little chance of this happening. Sure, the UAE may be one of the friendlier and more welcoming nations in the region, open for business for people around the world and maintaining a diverse population that includes a high number of expatriates. But at its core, it is still a religious nation with strongly-held beliefs that aren’t likely to change in the near future.
Due to Dubai’s strong finances, they won’t need to rely on legal gaming to bring in more visitors, as tourism is already a major part of the local economy.
Is it possible that this could change someday? Sure, and among the countries in its region, the UAE may be one of the more likely candidates for a casino somewhere down the road. But any such move is a very long way away, and there would need to be some rather drastic changes in its culture before this became a realistic possibility.
Gambling online in all the United Arab Emirates is technically illegal, however there’s no legislation regarding playing at offshore online casinos. Our recommendations are to always play in a safe space, and only use US dollars. To find out more check out our country-specific page for gambling in Dubai for all the tips you need.
Gambling at online casinos in Dubai can be very safe if done correctly. We recommend to always pick a reputable casino and make sure you read the terms and agreements carefully. Have a look at our online gambling page for advice and information on how to pick a safe gambling site and tips for making the most of the experience.
There are plenty of excellent Dubai casino sites that are available for all players in the region. Scroll through our list of reviewed and approved best online casinos to find the one that best suits your needs. Also, don’t forget! Make the most of the welcome bonuses and free spins bonuses available for an even more rewarding gaming experience.
Yes, you can! Most leading Dubai online casinos have lucrative no deposit bonuses as well as free spins that you can claim when creating an account. Some casinos will also have daily, weekly and special bonuses for frequent players as well as loyalty schemes. Wagering terms for bonuses may differ from one casino to another.
There are currently no land-based casinos in Dubai due to Islamic religious beliefs. Games of chance and gambling are seen as a capital sin and are prohibited in regions that uphold the religion. Although Dubai may seem to be the region where it might be the most likely for such drastic changes to happen, this won’t happen any time soon.
