United Arab Emirates online casinos for Real Money
Welcome to Real.casino’s ultimate guide to the best online casinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)! Our expert team has handpicked the top UAE-friendly casinos for real money gaming, ensuring a safe, secure, and enjoyable experience. Browse our carefully curated list below to start your thrilling casino journey today.
United Arab Emirates Casino Guide
Getting Started
Like most Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates takes a dim view on gambling, and betting in the Emirati Gulf state is notoriously tricky to do. However, despite some harsh punishments for some forms of gambling, there is a little wiggle room when it comes to other activities. What can you bet on in the United Arab Emirates, though?
We decided to take a closer look at what the UAE’s gambling laws actually say and break them down for you in plain, simple English. Here, then, is everything you need to know about choosing to gamble in the oil-rich Middle Eastern state.
The United Arab Emirates’ Gambling Laws and Regulations
First and foremost, despite what you may have heard, not all forms of gambling are illegal. Almost all of them are, but there is one exception. Camel racing is deemed an acceptable sport where Emirati residents and nationals are permitted to have a little flutter. However, there isn’t much wiggle room beyond this, and any bets made on camel racing must be made trackside and under close supervision. This is not quite the same process as having a bet on the nags in any Western country. There are specific rules on how much you can bet and where.
Now when it comes to other forms of gambling in the United Arab Emirates, the laws are much clearer. It is forbidden. While some Arab states have chosen to have casinos (for tourists), like Egypt (and their Nile cruises), this won’t be the case in the UAE. Gambling is forbidden.
Admittedly, the punishment for running a gambling game is a lot harsher than if you were to merely play one. You can receive up to ten years in prison for that, while players will receive a fine or up to two years in prison. There is no differentiation between online and land-based gambling games, either. All are forbidden, and that’s that. Because of these harsh laws, we naturally don’t recommend that our readers have a stab at online casino games.
Despite this, UAE residents and citizens are still known to gamble, and there are sites out there that cater to them. We’ll look more closely at these sites in the next sections.
Who Regulates and Licenses Emirati Casino Sites?
Given that the UAE forbids all forms of gambling save for camel racing, there isn’t really a licensing authority or regulatory body in the country. Furthermore, the trackside betting authorities have local control over what goes on when you choose to gamble through them.
Despite all this, there are plenty of UAE residents and nationals who do choose to bet online. They do this by heading over to so-called offshore casinos. These are casinos that aren’t licensed in the United Arab Emirates. They are also illegal, so UAE citizens tend to use VPNs to mask their location when signing up for them. Moreover, they tend to opt for cryptocurrency deposits, as this provides a touch more anonymity to help them evade being caught out.
There has been talk of Dubai potentially licensing and legalising gambling, albeit for tourists. However, the Government of Dubai has poured cold water on that. Similarly, Casino Wynn is believed to have struck a deal with the UAE to open a casino resort and hotel in the country. However, this would only be open to tourists and not even ex-pats living in the country. Again, there has been some talk of this being ready to go for 2026, but it is just speculation at this point.
The United Arab Emirates’ Most Popular Gambling Games
Camel racing is the only way to gamble in the country, so it naturally has a rather large following. However, there are UAE residents who choose to bet on other gambling games, despite it being illegal. These largely include table games, as slots are often considered addictive, even to those prepared to take the risk and gamble online. Other forms of sports betting are also popular in the UAE, and there is no shortage of sites prepared to cater to players in the country.
Who Can Play?
Emirati casinos simply don’t exist. Therefore, if you want to bet online, you’re going to need to look at offshore, foreign casinos. There are a couple of Asian-facing sites that accept players from the UAE, and there are also a handful of Middle Eastern betting sites that do the same. While some of these sites may accept the dirham as a currency option, most don’t. Finding a casino that offers gameplay in Arabic is easier than you might think. However, most of the cryptocurrency casinos out there (the ones that offer you the anonymity that you certainly need) tend not to offer gameplay in Arabic.
If you are going to play at offshore casinos in the UAE, you need to take precautions. The penalties for being caught simply make such a risk not worth it, in our opinion, but the choice (and risk) is ultimately yours to take.
Online Casino Payment Options
For players in the United Arab Emirates, the most common payment methods for online casinos are as follows:
Credit / Debit Cards:
- Visa: Widely accepted around the world, Visa is one of the most popular options for making deposits and withdrawals at online casinos in the UAE.
- MasterCard: Similar to Visa, MasterCard is another commonly used credit and debit card option for players in the UAE.
E-wallets:
- Skrill: Skrill is a popular e-wallet that allows users to transfer money to and from online casinos securely and quickly.
- NETELLER: Like Skrill, NETELLER is another e-wallet option that offers secure and instant transactions for online casino players in the UAE.
Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin: As the most well-known and widely accepted cryptocurrency, Bitcoin can be used for deposits and withdrawals at a growing number of online casinos in the UAE.
- Ethereum: Ethereum is another popular cryptocurrency that is accepted by some online casinos in the UAE for secure and anonymous transactions.
Now, for players in Thailand, the most common payment methods for online casinos exclusively used in the country are:
Credit / Debit Cards:
- JCB: JCB is a widely accepted credit card option in Thailand, and it is used by many Thai online casino players for deposits and withdrawals.
- UnionPay: UnionPay is a Chinese credit and debit card system that has gained popularity in Thailand and can be used at some online casinos.
E-wallets:
- TrueMoney Wallet: TrueMoney Wallet is an e-wallet service exclusive to Thailand that allows users to transfer money quickly and securely to and from online casinos.
- Rabbit LINE Pay: This e-wallet is integrated with the popular LINE messaging app, making it easy for Thai players to deposit and withdraw funds from online casinos.
Bank Transfers:
- PromptPay: PromptPay is a real-time interbank transfer service in Thailand that enables users to transfer money instantly to and from their bank accounts and online casinos.
- Thai QR Payment: Some online casinos in Thailand accept Thai QR Payment, a convenient method that allows players to transfer funds using QR codes and their mobile devices.
Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin: As mentioned earlier, Bitcoin is a popular cryptocurrency that can be used for deposits and withdrawals at a growing number of online casinos in Thailand.
- Ethereum: Ethereum is another widely accepted cryptocurrency option for Thai players looking for secure and anonymous transactions at online casinos.
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F.A.Q's
1. Is online gambling legal in the UAE?
Online gambling is strictly prohibited in the UAE, and there are severe penalties for those caught participating. However, some players use VPNs and foreign-based online casinos to access gambling services. It is essential to be aware of the risks involved and to understand that you may face legal consequences if caught.
2. Are there any land-based casinos in the UAE?
Land-based gambling, including casinos, is also illegal in the UAE. There are no legal casinos or other gambling establishments within the country.
3. What are the penalties for online gambling in the UAE?
Penalties for online gambling in the UAE can include fines, imprisonment, and even deportation for non-citizens. The severity of the punishment depends on the specific case and circumstances.
4. Can I use a VPN to access online casinos?
considered illegal in the UAE. It is essential to understand the risks involved and the potential legal consequences. For more information on VPN usage and online gambling, visit our Safety and Security guide.
5. What payment methods are available for online gambling in the UAE?
Although online gambling is illegal in the UAE, players who choose to gamble through foreign-based online casinos can use various payment methods, including e-wallets, credit cards, and cryptocurrencies. For more information on payment methods, visit our Payment Methods page.
6. Are winnings from online gambling taxable in the UAE?
As online gambling is illegal in the UAE, any winnings obtained from it are considered illegal income and may be subject to penalties. It is essential to be aware of the risks involved and the potential legal consequences.
7. Can I play live dealer games in the UAE?
Live dealer games are also considered online gambling and are illegal in the UAE. However, players who access foreign-based online casinos using VPNs might be able to access live dealer games. To learn more about live dealer games, visit our Live Dealers page.
8. Are there any responsible gambling resources in the UAE?
Since gambling is illegal in the UAE, there are limited resources available for problem gambling. However, international organizations like Gamblers Anonymous and GamCare offer support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Visit our Problem Gambling guide for more information.
9. Is it safe to gamble online in the UAE?
Online gambling is illegal and risky in the UAE, and participating can lead to severe legal consequences. If you choose to gamble online, it is crucial to prioritize your safety and security. Visit our Safety and Security guide for tips on how to protect yourself online.
10. Can I play online casino games for free in the UAE?
While playing online casino games for free without betting any real money might seem like a safer option, it is still considered a form of online gambling and is illegal in the UAE. Accessing these games, even for free, can lead to legal consequences.