Where is Gambling Allowed in Arab Countries?

Gambling in Arab Countries: A General Overview

As a general rule, gambling is illegal across the Arab world. It goes against Islamic law, and there are some stiff penalties in place for those who transgress. We can ask questions such as whether gambling is legal in Saudi Arabia and similar places, and the general answer is a firm no.

As in most regions where strict anti-gambling laws are in place, there are loopholes that are exploited. For example, there are offshore operators that can be accessed by those intending to place a bet. By using a VPN when gambling, individuals can hide their identity and location and register at these platforms.

Secondly, to questions like whether there are casinos in the UAE, the answer here is yes. A new casino is set to open here in 2027. This is because different laws apply to tourists visiting here.

There are anomalies in Muslim countries, and we will look at some examples individually, but as an overriding rule, gambling is technically outlawed in the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia

Is gambling legal in Saudi Arabia? The short answer to this is no. Officially, the practice is outlawed across the country, and there are severe punishments for anyone who disobeys the law.

Some citizens, however, do not view those punishments as an effective deterrent. An underground gambling scene exists, especially for football and horse racing, which are hugely popular sports among the Saudis.

United Arab Emirates

Despite an influx in tourism and increased hosting duties for sports such as cricket, gambling remains banned in the UAE. The law is in place for locals and visitors alike, and once again, there are stiff penalties for anyone who crosses the line.

As an example of the UAE’s stance on gambling, anyone who attempts to open a business accepting real-money wagers could face up to 10 years imprisonment. While there is pressure on the government to relax the ban, future changes are unlikely. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether online casinos are legal in the UAE is no.

Lebanon

The Lebanese Criminal Code outlaws most forms of gambling, but once again, there are some exceptions. The Casino du Liban is open to visitors, along with a second location in Beirut, so there are options for tourists.

In addition, there is a small selection of online gambling platforms that are tightly regulated by the Lebanese government.

Morocco 

Morocco stands apart from the general rules around gambling in Arab countries. Here, online and offline gambling have been made legal for citizens who have reached the minimum stipulated age.

Moroccan citizens can access a choice of offshore operators who are open for business here. In addition, there are many physical casinos located in the country. In theory, these are only open to overseas visitors, but some wealthy Moroccans have managed to exploit a loophole by holding dual passports.

Despite calls for Morocco to tighten restrictions on the practice, gambling remains legal here.

Egypt

As one of the biggest tourist destinations in the Arab region, this country has recognized a need to relax laws on gambling. Egypt has 14 casinos, most of which are located in and around Cairo, the capital.

In theory, these gaming establishments are exclusively for overseas visitors. Egyptians are not allowed to enter the casinos, but many have dual citizenship and will use a second passport. For the country’s citizens, gambling is considered haram and is therefore prohibited by law.

Tunisia

There are currently three casinos in Tunisia open to overseas visitors. Others have closed since the terrorist attack on tourists in 2015 in Sousse, and the industry has since struggled with a downturn.

Some forms of gambling are legal for citizens, but they are strictly regulated by the government. Casinos are available for tourists, while local Tunisians can participate in the state-run lottery.

The Question of Problem Gambling

The risk of addiction is evident in all countries, irrespective of whether gambling is legal or otherwise. In Morocco, where gambling is accessible, a report from 2021 suggested that 40% of the country’s gamblers could be considered as high risk.

In Arab regions where gambling is outlawed, it can be more difficult to confirm figures with any certainty. This could be due to the fact that gambling is considered to be a sin under Islamic law, and the stigma may prevent affected individuals from seeking help for fear of punishment. Even though these countries have gamblers, the local governments do not establish safe and responsible gambling principles due to the ban. Therefore, individuals addicted to casinos face more issues and a lack of help compared to people residing in countries with legalized gambling.

A study from the UK in 2020 may, however, offer some insight into the issue. The charity GambleAware undertook a study among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups into problem gambling. Of those confirmed as following a religion, Islam was the most common faith group among gamblers, at 14%.

While it’s difficult to obtain figures, these confirmed surveys may tell the underlying story of gambling addiction in Arab countries.

List of Casinos in Arab Countries and Gaming License Applications

Across the Arab region, there are some casinos available to tourists, and on occasion, local residents. For those wanting to know about the casino being built here, and whether there is a casino in Dubai, here is a guide:

Dubai and the UAE

Are casinos legal in Dubai? The short answer is no, and there are no establishments within the city limits. However, there are plans to open a casino resort in neighbouring Ras Al Khaimah, located less than an hour away from Dubai International Airport.

Construction is ongoing, and the latest reported opening date is 2027. The Wynn Al Marjan Island resort will house the first casino in the entire United Arab Emirates.

Tunisia

Tourism in Tunisia has dropped, and a number of casinos have closed as a result. At the time of writing, three establishments remain, and these are the Casino Europe and Cesar Palace Casino Hotel in Sousse and Le Grand Casino in Djerba.

Egypt

Egypt has the largest number of physical casinos among Arab countries. The exact figures are subject to change, but there are currently 14 establishments, and the majority of them are located in and around Cairo.

The list includes the Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino, Omar Khayyam Casino, Ramses Casino, London Club Cairo Casino, Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Fairmont Nile City, and Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino. All of these venues are located in Cairo.

Outside of the capital, Egyptian casinos can be found at the Vegas Casino and the Maritim Jolie Ville. Both of those locations are in Sharm El Sheik.

Lebanon

Lebanon has just two casinos. These are the Casino du Liban in Jounieh and the Beirut Hippodrome.

Morocco

As the country with the most relaxed laws on gambling, we should expect to see more casinos available in Morocco. At the time of writing, there are seven casinos, and there is a fairly even distribution between Marrakech and Agadir.

The current list includes the Casino de Marrakech, the Casino Atlantic Agadir, Casino Le Mirage, Shem’s Casino and Le Grand Casino de la Mamounia.

In general, every casino here can only be accessed by tourists from overseas. Locals can exploit a loophole if they have a second passport, but that general rule applies across Arab countries.

The gambling rooms vary in size, but each will have a good choice of traditional casino games, including roulette, poker, blackjack and slots.