Top UAE gambling sites and apps 2025
The United Arab Emirates is an interesting case study when it comes to online gambling, with their religion colliding with their love of real money casinos and sports betting. Gambling in the UAE is frequent, despite gambling being prohibited in Islam, with it done via offshore operators, and there are plans underway to open the first integrated resort in 2027 — the Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. There is also growing momentum to launch a regulated online gambling industry in the UAE, with General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority in charge of licensing, compliance and regulation in the UAE. For now though, the top UAE gambling sites are based offshore, but cater extensively to desktop and mobile, including having Android apps available. Our UAE gambling guide will break down eveyrthing you need to know, including the top United Arab Emirates Dirham payment options, how to play casino games, sports gambling, top UAE gambling sites and gambling apps, latest betting and casino offer, laws and more.
Best gambling sites in the United Arab Emirates
- Bet on sports and play casino games at one website!
- Accepts players from most countries
- competitive sports betting odds
- Does not have Paypal available for payments
- Huge selection of real money casino games
- Great bonuses catering to various regions and currencies!
- Has sports betting and virtual games
- Does not have apps available
The top online gambling sites accepting players from the United Arab Emirates, despite the incoming regulation surrounding iGaming, are based overseas with many operators accepting players from this middle-eastern country.
While you will not find any gambling sites — barring several lotto operators — that are legal in the UAE, there are plenty of brands that cater to the Dirham currency and accept sign ups from here. These include a bevy of Curacao eGaming casinos and sports betting operators that specialise in hard-to-reach markets.
The Top UAE gambling sites can be accessed across various platforms. The most common way people gamble online is via mobile, and most gambling sites cater extensively to handheld devices, including hosting apps for Android, iOS and Huawei smartphones and tablets. However, gambling apps are restricted in the UAE, unless you are on Android, which allows non-market apps.
Real money gambling games available in the United Arab Emirates range from online slots, to table games, right through to obscure virtual games and online innovations. You will also find digital versions of classics like video poker, various versions of poker, online blackjack, roulette, baccarat and basically anything else you see in land-based gambling venues.
The biggest revolution in online gaming in recent years has been the explosion of live dealer, with these casino games exceptionally popular with table game aficionados. Live dealer is when you are watching a video feed of the game unfolding at a real table. You an then place your bets vi a digital version of the table on your computer or mobile.
Payments at UAE gambling sites can be done via a number of methods, with credit and debit cards, web wallets, bank transfers and crypto payments just some of the popular, available options. These payment types are subject to availability, with reports of some cards not working in the past. Given the legacy position of being strict on online gambling, cryptos like bitcoin and ethereum form an important part of the gambling eco-system in the UAE.
Online gambling in the UAE
The UAE is undergoing a notable shift in its gaming and gambling market, with online gambling emerging as a key focus. Although historically gambling was strictly prohibited in line with cultural and religious norms, the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in 2023 marked a regulatory turning point for both land-based and digital gaming.
In the digital domain, online gambling and digital lotteries are now poised for legal transformation. Operators of major prize-draw platforms like Mahzooz and Emirates Draw, who paused during the transition to apply for national licences, illustrate this move from grey-market operations to fully regulated frameworks.
The legal outlook for online casino and betting platforms remains cautious: full-scale operations are not yet launched, but regulatory frameworks are in development. Licensed digital platforms will be required to comply with rigorous standards such as consumer protection, anti-money-laundering, player-verification and responsible-gaming tools.
This evolution is driven by the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its economy, boost tourism, and capture new streams of revenue. Online gambling is expected to be part of a comprehensive gaming ecosystem that includes luxury resorts, tourism and high-net-worth visitors. The online component allows for broader reach and scale, especially given the UAE’s young, digitally fluent population.
At the same time, the UAE is carefully managing cultural and social sensitivities. Gambling is being introduced in a way that preserves values and limits mass-market exposure; many early licences appear to target tourists and VIP segments more than residents.
In summary, online gambling in the UAE is on the cusp of becoming a regulated and institutionalised part of the entertainment economy, with strong regulatory intent, digital infrastructure and commercial ambition—but still operating under strict controls and cultural guardrails.
Top UAE gambling apps for real money
Gambling apps in the United Arab Emirates are largely restricted to Android devices, with Apple not allowing casino or sports betting apps on their devices in countries without regulation. For instance, you will find gambling apps for iOS in Bangladesh, but you will not in Singapore, where gambling is again frowned upon because of religious and legislative reasons. This same sentiment stops Apple from allowing gambling apps in the UAE.
However, Android gambling apps can be downloaded from outside the Google Play ecosystem, with these non-market apps activated by changing a setting on your device. You can then download apps directly from gambling operators, with the APK usually a small file, that will add a shortcut to your desktop. You can then access gambling apps with one click of your finger.
Android gambling apps will generally give you access to all the features of online casinos and sports betting sites that you would find on desktop computer. In many cases, the mobile option has had a lot more thought than the desktop version, given that more people gamble on smaller screens.
Importantly, all of the bank options available at gambling sites will be on the apps, which has not always been the case. For instance, a few years ago funding a casino with bitcoin via a gambling app was an act only a digital contortionist could make, with it requiring multiple windows and plenty of cut and pasting. These days, many gambling apps integrate perfectly with various payment gateways.
For UAE gamblers who are unable to download gambling apps, most real money iGaming operators will have mobile websites, with these providing a solid option to access their wares.
Gambling games available in UAE
Gambling games available in the UAE include the full list of casino titles, with these ranging from online slots, right through to live dealer baccarat and video poker. Basically, anything you would find at a land-based casino you will find at UAE gambling sites, although the range and varieties of games tends to be much greater online, with this a product of the lower overheads associated with digital play.
The top gambling games that are accessed by UAE residents include online slots and live dealer, notably live roulette and live blackjack, which form the basis of most casino operators suite. Crash or multiplier games have also exploded in popularity in recent years, with small bets and large wins the big drawcard.
Gambling Guides
Real money gambling can be done at offshore gambling sites. Use these guides to examine the latest from the top real money casinos and gambling sites. .
Online Poker
Like most places, the UAE loves poker, with various offshore companies allowing residents to play it on their computers and mobile devices. Poker will also be available in the country’s first land-based casino.
Casino Games & Rules
Are you a beginner to online gambling? Check out our casino games and rules guides to get started.
Sports gambling
Legal sports betting seems closer than ever in the United Arab Emirates, but for now, offshore betting sites remain the most common way to wager on sports and racing events.
Live gambling sites
Live gambling sites allow you to play real money table games like roulette, baccarat and balackjack. Unique live games — like game shows and lotto draws — are also very popular in the UAE.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is more of a cultural event in the UAE, despite it hosting the Dubai World Cup, one of the richest races in the world. While betting on racing in the UAE is heavily restricted, plenty of residents do it.
Traditional gambling in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates might be an Islamic country, which heavily frowns on gambling in most cases, but this has not stopped it being done at a casual level. Two of the more uniquely UAE events include camel racing and Baloot, a trick-taking card game that often has wagers associated with it.
Camel Racing
Camel racing in the UAE is a deeply rooted tradition that has transformed into a professional sport: races often run between October and April at venues such as Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai where camels equipped with robot jockeys thunder across the desert track. Although historically informal bets in the form of camels or goods may have been placed at tribal gatherings, modern wagering on camel races is not legally permitted under UAE law and carries serious penalties. (uaetoday.com) The sport today involves specially bred racing camels, regulated categories by age and breed, sophisticated timing systems and dedicated infrastructure, all maintained under rules to preserve heritage and integrity. (GamingZion)
Baloot
Baloot is a traditional four-player card game popular across the Arabian Gulf, including in the United Arab Emirates. Derived from the French game Belote, players form two teams of two and use a 32-card deck, aiming to win rounds by taking the highest-value tricks through bidding, trump selection, and strategic play. While Baloot is culturally accepted in the UAE as a social pastime, playing for real money is illegal under UAE law. Historically and in private, small informal wagers might occur in private gathers. There are also state-sanctioned competitions where prizes might be awarded to winners. Definitely give this game a go next time you are in the UAE, with it plenty of fun. Online Baloot for real money is also becoming popular in the UAE.
Gambling laws in the UAE
Gambling in the United Arab Emirates has long been frowned upon, but recent changes to legislation to allow a land-based casino, and the enactment of a regulator has indicated a softening of this stance.
This has lead to the creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) which was enacted by a Federal Law by Decree, and is aimed at regulating commercial gaming activities.
The GCGRA’s mandate includes licensing and regulating lottery, internet gaming. sports wagering and land-based gaming, but it remains to be see just how far the UAE will extend their gambling laws.
These law changes have quickly lead to the establishment of Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is the UAE’s first integrated resort project, and it is due to open in 2027.
While most forms of gambling are illegal, many expats and locals gamble online every day from the United Arab Emirates, with little done to curb this practice, despite laws stating you could face up to two years in prison.
As an Arab nation, the heavy restrictions against gambling have been driven by religion, but a need to diversify the UAE economy away from oil has lead to dabbling in various industries, notably esports and now gambling.
These changes have lead to plenty of pushback from more hardline religious people, but ultimately the UAE is ruled by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Federal National Council has very little say in the direction they take.
Gambling in the UAE is defined as “a game whereby each of the parties… agrees, in case he is the loser, to pay the winner a certain sum of money or any other thing agreed upon”, with this largely leaving the gates open for a very broad range of enforcement action.
While those partaking in gambling have had very little action taken upon them, anyone caught running or hosting gambling faces up to 10 years in prison, and massive fines. The max fines are AED 50,000 for participating in gambling, and higher if you are caught hosting it.
While horse racing is legal in the UAE, the practice of betting on it is illegal, despite plenty of people wagering on both the local races and overseas held events. The only formal regulated betting on horse racing are raffle-style on-course events, but plenty of offshore betting operators accept custom from here.
The seven emirates stance on gambling
While the seven emirates are largely in aggreeance when it comes to gambling online and sports betting, with it generaly frowned upon
- Abu Dhabi: Applies the federal prohibition on unlicensed gambling, with no legal casinos and strict penalties for illegal betting.
- Dubai: Follows the federal ban on ordinary gambling operations unless explicitly licensed by the new regulatory regime, meaning general betting remains illegal.
- Sharjah: Maintains one of the most conservative positions, aligning with Islamic principles in actively banning gambling and similar vices.
- Ajman: Subject to the same federal law and cultural norms, hence unlicensed gambling is prohibited and strongly discouraged.
- Umm Al Quwain: Under the federal framework forbidding gambling, it has no special legal carve-outs permitting games of chance for money.
- Fujairah: Although historically there were isolated instances (e.g., slot machines in hotels) these have been outlawed, and now gambling is broadly banned under federal and local rules.
- Ras Al Khaimah: While bound by federal prohibition, it is emerging as a potential regulatory site under the new regime, with plans for a licensed resort that may include casino-style gaming under strict oversight.
AED gambling deposit options
Various gambling sites cater extensively to the AED currency, although the Dirham is not as popular as other currencies used globally. This means, that some some gambling sites will convert your funds to other currencies, and they will display your balance in this currency. Popular ones used in the UAE include US Dollars and Euros.
The most popular payment types used at Dirham online casinos include Visa and Mastercard, among other credit and debit card options; web wallets, can be a great way to put a layer between your bank and gambling sites, possibly circumventing blocks and even bank transfers, although these are done to offshore bank accounts and can take up to three working days to be completed.
Funding gambling sites is generally fee free, but does depend on what method you use, with some having a small one-off fees for some payment types but this is rare. You are more likely to be charged a fee when cashing out at gambling sites, particularly if you are using a web wallet.
An exceptionally popular way to fund gambling sites in the UAE is via cryptocurrencies, with the most popular used at online casinos and betting sites being bitcoin, Ethereum and various table coins. Heck we even know of people who gamble with Dogecoin.
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Neteller
- Skrill
- ecoPayz
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Bank transfer
- Credit Card
- Debit cards
History of gambling in the UAE
Gambling in the UAE has for decades been broadly prohibited under the federal Penal Code, reflecting the country’s grounding in Islamic law (sharia), which regards games of chance (maisir) as forbidden. The key legal instrument is Article 460 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021 (Penal Code) that defines gambling as a contract where the loser pays a predetermined sum to the winner.
In addition, the 2021 Cyber Crimes Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021) criminalizes the online facilitation or promotion of gambling via IT networks. The “modern clamp-down” intensification can be seen in these recent laws, though enforcement has been strict for many years. Recently (September 2023) the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) signalling a potential shift toward regulated “commercial gaming”.
There are documented cases of large-scale online gambling networks being targeted, including extraditions from the UAE of individuals accused of running illegal gambling platforms.
In short: gambling has essentially always been frowned upon in the UAE (due to Islamic jurisprudence), the official legal barriers were reinforced in recent years, and while a loosening via licensed regulated gaming is on the horizon, unlicensed gambling remains criminal.
Some of the notable instances of the United Arab Emirates clamping down on gambling include:
- In April 2022, a Dubai court convicted seven men of operating an illegal gambling den in a clothing-store location; they were each sentenced to three months’ prison, fined AED 100,000 and flagged for deportation after their term.
- In late 2022, a secret gambling villa in Dubai was raided: four organisers were sentenced to one year in prison and 18 participants were also detained in the crackdown.
- In an earlier case, a man was jailed for six months for organising a gambling game in a pedestrian underpass in Dubai’s Deira district — illustrating that even low-scale public acts can attract imprisonment.
Land-based gambling venues in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates has long resisted the lure of gambling, but this is all set to change in 2027, when the country rolls out their first land-based casino. The Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah is set to cost over $5billion and breath new life into the northern-most emirate, which is poorer than others.
About an hour from Dubai, the new development is aimed at diversifying the economy, which has been heavily reliant on oil. Authorities believe the casino can play a role in increasing tourism from 1.3million to 3million annually.
For Wynn, while it’s obviously a high-risk investment in such a conservative society, it leaves them as arguably the most connection gambling operator globally. Claiming that anyone in the globe can fly to a Wynn casino within eight hours.
| Casino | Address | Country | Telephone | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Casino | 1758 Newtown Barracks, Belize City | Belize | ||
| Las Vegas Hotel | 91 1/2 Mile Northern Highway, Sta Eena | Belize | ||
| Princess Casino Free Zone | 1 Freedom St Avenue, Corozal | Belize | ||
| The Palace Casino | PO Box 65 San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye | Belize | ||
| Princess Hotel & Casino Free Zone | 1 Freedom St, Corozal | Belize | ||
| San Ignacio Princess Casino | 18 Buena Vista St, San Ignacio, Cayo Belize | Belize | ||
| Casino Captain Morgans | 3.5 Miles North, San Pedro 9999 | Belize | ||
| Millionaires Casino | Liberation Road, Accra, Ghana | Ghana | +233 24 899 2127 | |
| 86 Casino | JVJ4+FMC, Accra, Ghana | Ghana | +233 59 266 8620 | |
| Golden Dragon Casino | Community 9, Tema | Ghana | +233 54 789 3693 | |
| Caius Casino | Ghana | +233 54 010 0505 | ||
| Crown Holiday Casino | FAA 299 Boundary Road, Ogbodjo, Greater Accra | Ghana | +233 55 049 6723 | |
| Piccadilly Casino | Dr Esther Ocloo St, Accra, Ghana | Ghana | +233 30 276 3095 | |
| Euroluck Star Casino | CE/942 , 5TH AVENUE COMMUNITY 11 ,NEAR ECOBANK, BESIDE CHINA SHOP, Tema, Ghana | Ghana | +233 24 929 3768 | |
| Vienna City | Kwame Nkrumah Circle Accra 001 | Ghana | +43 1 5124836 | |
| Casino Crown | Behind GT Bank, Tema | Ghana | +233 30 321 8019 | |
| Euro Seven Casino | COMMUNITY 11 Hospital Rd, Tema, Ghana | Ghana | ||
| Casino Troya | HR83+X3C, Dr Isert St, Accra, Ghana | Ghana | +233 30 220 0849 | |
| Vulkano Games | KFC Junction Mall,Nungua Main Road, Accra, Ghana | Ghana | 0501529746 | |
| Marina Bay Sands | 10 Bayfront Ave | Singapore | 0065 6688 8868 | |
| Resorts World Sentosa | 8 Sentosa Gateway | Singapore | ||
| King's Casino | King’s Building, Heritage Quay, High St, St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | (268) 462-1727 | |
| Boardwalk Casino | Redcliffe Quay, Redcliffe Street, St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | (268) 562-9988 | |
| Paradise Casino | 4594+79F, St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | (268) 562-1728 | |
| Sizzlin’ Slots | Market Street & Tanner Street, St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | (268) 562-8899 | |
| Paradise Casino | All Saints Road (near Heroes Park), St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | +1 268 562 1728 | |
| Joe Mike's Restaurant & Casino | Corner Nevis St & Corn Alley, St. John’s | Antigua & Barbuda | +1 268 462 1142 | |
| Wynn Al Marjan Island | Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah | United Arab Emirates | - | |
| Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino | Max Euweplein 62, 1017, MB Amsterdam | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino Amsterdam West-Sloterdijk | 61 La Guardiaweg 1043, DE Amsterdam | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino Breda | Kloosterplein 20, 4811 GP Breda | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino Eindhoven | Ten Hagestraat 6a, 5611, EG Eindhoven | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino Enschede | Koningsplein 8, KZ 7512, Enschede | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Groningen | Roskildeweg 4 9723 BZ, Groningen | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Leeuwarden | Heliconweg 56, 8914, Leeuwarden | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino Nijmegen | Groene Balkon 1 6511, VL. Nijmegen | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Rotterdam | Weena 624, 3012 CN, Rotterdam | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Schevingen De Den Hague | Kurhausweg 1, 2587 RT Den Haag | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Utrecht | Overste den Oudenlaan 2, 3527, KW Utrecht | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Valkenburg | Kuupark Cauberg 28, 6301 BT Valkenberg | Netherlands | ||
| Holland Casino, Zandvoort | Badhuisplein 7, 02042, Zandvoort | Netherlands | ||
| Casino Adjara | 1 26 May Square, Tbilisi 0171, Georgia | Georgia | +995 32 233 55 19 | |
| Leogrand Hotel & Casino | 2/4 Shavsheti St, Batumi 6000, Georgia | Georgia | +995 422 24 20 20 | |
| Princess Casino Batumi | 33, 6009 Memed Abashidze Ave, Batumi, Georgia | Georgia | +995 422 22 60 20 | |
| Casino Iveria Tbilisi | Rose Revolution Square, Tbilisi, Georgia | Georgia | +995 32 240 22 45 | |
| Shangri La Casino, Tbilisi | River Mtkvari Right Embankment მშვიდობის ხიდი, Tbilisi, Georgia | Georgia | +995 32 220 07 01 | |
| Casino International Batumi | Gerogia | |||
| Casino Ambassadori | Ioane Shavteli St., 17, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia | Georgia | +995 32 243 94 94 | |
| Royal Casino & Hotel Batumi | 17 Nikoloz Baratashvili Street, Batumi 6000, Georgia | Georgia | +995 514 04 00 00 | |
| Grand Bellagio | 3 Lech and Maria Kaczynski St, Batumi 6000, Georgia | Georgia | +995 422 30 06 00 | |
| Eclipse Casino, Batumi | 1, 6010 Lech and Maria Kaczynski St, Batumi, Georgia | Georgia | +995 557 11 00 00 |
United Arab Emirates gambling FAQ
Have you got a question about gambling in the United Arab Emirates? Drop us a message in the box below or email us at contact@worldgamblinglist.com.
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Are online gambling sites legal in the UAE?
There are no licensed gambling sites in the United Arab Emirates, with heavy penalties applied if people are caught hosting real money games.
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Are online offshore casinos blocked in the UAE?
The UAE is known to block gambling sites, with many residents using a VPN to bet on sports and play casino games online.
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Can you use VPNs to gamble online?
Yes, we have heard of no issues using VPNs to gamble online in the UAE.
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What happens if my bank detects gambling transactions in the UAE?
This can land punters in trouble, with the UAE government having the ability to check bank accounts for gambling transactions. In practice, little is done in the way of investigating peoples banks for gambling
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Can I play poker online in the UAE?
There are online poker sites that will accept players from the UAE, with these including some well-known operators like GGPoker.
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Why is gambling culturally frowned upon in the UAE?
The UAE is an Islamic country, with this religion frowning on gambling and in some cases acting strictly against it. Despite this, recent years have seen a softening stance, with the country set to open its first casino in the coming years.
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Which authority regulates internet content and blocks gambling sites in the UAE?
General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority is in charge of all things gambling in the UAE, with their mandate seemingly to slowly regulated online gambling and casino games of chance.
