Casinos in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates are mainly known to outsiders as an oil-rich country that likes to flaunt its wealth into lavish and extravagant construction works. Although there is some truth in that, the UAE is far more complex and interesting than this superficial cliché and it comes as no surprise that gambling online is less than straightforward in the Emirates. If you are a tourist in the United Arab Emirates or a local resident who is looking to spend some time on online casinos in UAE, you can find critical info on whether you can gamble online and how you can access your favorite casino sites.

Casino sites in the United Arab Emirates

Is gambling legal in the United Arab Emirates?

Similar to most Muslim countries, gambling either on a casino or the race tracks is technically forbidden in the United Arab Emirates as the Sharia considers it immoral. What you may have already seen though is that there are plenty of loopholes and some selective prohibitions on some gambling products. For example, placing a wager among friends at the Jebel Ali or Meydan racecourse is a common occurrence, while there are also various smaller casino clubs scattered around Dubai that attract both local and expat players. There are various raffles and lotteries that are not only considered legal within the UAE, but are also sponsored by the Emirati government.

On a purely legislative level, gambling is not only prohibited but is also subject to harsh penalties by the Emirati authorities. Articles 414 & 415 of the United Arab Emirates penal code state that any person found gambling is subject to a maximum fine of 20,000 UAE dirhams and up to two years of imprisonment. Although these sanctions can seem intimidating, the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has yet to arrest any individuals for gambling on UAE online casinos as it is more focused on hunting rogue operators and trying to limit transactions towards UAE casino sites. In any case, seeing that gambling is morally abhorred by many locals, it is best to keep playing on UAE casinos as a private pass time and be less vocal about your spectacular wins or unlucky losses.

How to access online casinos in the UAE

Although most online casinos in the UAE can be freely accessed, there are a few brands that have decided to stop accepting Emirati players. The easiest way to bypass this, or hide your IP activity from the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, is by using a Virtual Private Network software. However, we are obligated to warn you when trying to use a VPN on a casino site in the Emirates, as the local gambling law has put specific provisions against its use on gambling companies. To be fair though, despite these draconian measures, we remind you that there have been no prosecutions against players who enjoy online casinos, nor any internet users who are using VPN to access their favorite websites.

Depositing and withdrawing money on UAE casino sites

The United Arab Emirates are a commercial hub in the Middle East, so it comes as no surprise that a ton of processing methods are readily available for casino players. The most prevalent transaction medium is bank cards from the Islamic Bank, ADIB, FAB, Mashreq and other local banks, that are readily accepted from all online casino sites accepting players from the UAE. If you want to play it extra safe with the local authorities then you can skip using a bank card and opt for an e-wallet such as Skrill or Neteller, or even use Bitcoin that is nowadays accepted on most casino sites.

What to watch out when gambling in the Emirates

Like we mentioned above, gambling both in its physical and digital form is strictly prohibited for Emirati citizens. As hardcore as these laws might seem to foreigners, the local players are well aware that not every gambling activity is penalized and as long as you know how to stay under the government’s radar you can play on any casinos that accept players from the UAE. In any case, you are strongly advised to avoid using local banks for depositing and withdrawing your funds and also to keep a low profile on your social media activity, as bragging for any money won through gambling could see you attract some unwanted attention.

In terms of payment methods, it is advisable to use Skrill or Neteller, due to their fast transactions and high anonymity. If you want to retain an even higher level of protection, you can use a VPN software that will mask your IP address. However, you should make sure that the online casino UAE you are planning to join allows users to use such software as some operators might close your account during the KYC procedure.

Land-based gambling in the United Arab Emirates

If you are wondering if there are casinos in UAE, unfortunately, there are no brick and mortar ones. There are no casino facilities resembling Las Vegas or the French Riviera, as organized gambling is supposed to be a tradition more focused on horse and camel racing. All the racecourse bets, raffles and other games of chance take place in racecourses that are spread around in the country, where locals and tourists can pass their time gambling. There are four main racecourses in the United Arab Emirates, that serve thousands of people on race days.

• The Meydan Racecourse. Located at the Equestrian Complex, only a few minutes drive from the centre, the Meydan is the largest racecourse both in Dubai and the UAE, allowing for a crowd of up to 60,000 people.
• Dubai Camel Racing Club. Situated close to The Sevens rugby stadium, the DCRC is well known for attracting a large crowd during its special events.
• Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Close to the Dubai International Airport, you can find the Nad Al Sheba. Prior to the Meydan being constructed, it was regarded as the largest racecourse in the UAE. No races are currently held in the Ned Al Sheba as it closed its gates in 2007.
• Jebel Ali Racecourse. Located about 1km from the Palm Jumeirah, the Jebeli Ali Racecourse is one of the top camel racecourses in the world. With a mixed sand-oil terrain and a friendly crowd, the Jebeli Ali is a must for any visitors in Dubai.