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United Arab Emirates – Online Casinos & Gambling Regulations
As a beautiful and luxurious country on the Persian Gulf that is governed very strictly, we must first point out that gambling is illegal in the Emirate. That’s not to say that many people living there do not gamble on casino games or sports betting sites at all, but the risk lies entirely with the player and the fines or sentences meted out by the government can be harsh, to say the least. With that disclaimer out of the way, if you want to gamble (even though it is not legal), you have some options available online. However, do bear in mind that while some online casinos will accept players from the UAE, it still does not make it legal to partake in online gambling.
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More information about United Arab Emirates – Online Casinos & Gambling Regulations
Finding the best UAE casino online
In much the same way that alcohol is forbidden by Islam (but still enjoyed by people of other beliefs within the country), the same can be said of real money gambling in the UAE. So, while you will not find any online casinos or sportsbook sites based in the country, playing at one of them with servers based in other parts of the world is a fairly simple process. So, first of all, have a read through the GoodLuckMate casino reviews to get an idea of which brands appeal to you most, then consider some of the following based on your own personal preferences…
As a major player within the global economy due to oil wealth, you will find a few online casinos that allow you to use the UAE dirham, though you’re far more likely to find other currencies such as US Dollars or Euros being the default instead. The latter option is especially prevalent because of the number of sites based in Europe. So, regardless of if you’re using dirhams or another world currency, you will find plenty of payment options for depositing and withdrawing. Simply visit the site ahead of signing up to check the Payments page for which methods are available to you. However, as the legal status of real money gambling is not on the player’s side, we recommend that you avoid using systems that could be traced back to you.
Which languages will be available?
With around 315 million speakers across the world, you will find plenty of sites that include Arabic as a supported language, alongside English and other European languages. Therefore, it’s well worth visiting a site when considering your options and asking the customer support team if they have Arabic speakers – if that is your preferred way to communicate online.
How to register a new casino account
Once you’ve located your preferred place to play by reading our expert reviews and checking that they accept players from the UAE, the sign-up process is extremely easy. Simply follow the onscreen instructions about your basic information and fill in the fields – this will include things like choosing a username and password, as well as adding your address, contact number and your chosen currency. From there, you’ll be taken to the cashier area of the site to make your first deposit and to claim a welcome bonus if one is offered. Just be sure to check the T&Cs to see if any payment methods are not allowed to be used for claiming bonuses or free spins.
Here’s a short rundown of things to consider before registering at a UAE online casino:
- Have you read GoodLuckMate’s casino reviews?
- Can you use your ideal payment method safely?
- Is your chosen currency available at the site?
- Is support available in your preferred language?
- Have you read the bonus terms and conditions?
If you’ve checked off the list above, be sure to click on the welcome bonus banners on the GoodLuckMate reviews to ensure that you get the latest and greatest bonuses available.
Gambling regulation – The legal status in the UAE
As gambling for money is forbidden by Islam, it has been declared illegal within the United Arab Emirates. This means that there is no regulatory body set up to control establishments across the country. Instead, the restrictions are policed by law enforcement officers and ultimately decided by the Federal Supreme Court. Therefore, any online casino site that can be accessed from the UAE will fall under the jurisdictions of the host country where the servers are located.
Casinos in the United Arab Emirates
While gambling is banned in the UAE, you will find some high-class hotels in major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi that allow gambling in a private setting – to cater to its rich and famous guests that see the country as a go-to destination for glitz and glamor. However, as pointed out above, we absolutely do not recommend this (as prison sentences are common for breaking the law in the Emirate), and if you do go down the online route then it is strictly at your own risk.
Updated: 16 February 2021 
