A Legal Divide: The Stark Differences in Gambling Policies Between Arab and Western Nations

Gambling is one of the world’s most popular hobbies, with an estimated 4.2 billion people participating at least once a year. The Western world leads in these figures, with the largest market being the U.S., which had around 102 million players in 2023.

While gambling continues to grow in popularity worldwide, regulations across the Arabian Peninsula remain strict. Although there is some variation between regions, gambling faces far tighter restrictions than in the Western world.

The History of Gambling in Arab Countries

Gambling has a long history within Arab countries, stretching back to ancient civilizations. The discovery of dice and literature about the Bedouin tribes betting on camel racing is evidence of this. In the ancient Bedouin culture, tribes would meet to place wagers on the outcome of camel racing. The sport remains popular throughout the area, particularly in the United Arab Emirates.

Historical writings on the Bedouin lifestyle during their nomadic expansion around 850 BCE also point towards wagers made on poetry contests, called Mu’allaqat. In a public forum, often during festivals and celebrations, poets would display their skills, and spectators would offer wagers on who would perform the best. To determine a victor, poets were judged on skill with words, ability to convey cultur,e and the content of their work.

However, by the end of the 8th century, gambling was outlawed across the region in the vast majority of forms. The practice faced harsh physical and custodial punishments. Some traditional practices, such as camel racing and wagering, remained in areas where laws weren’t as strict on gambling.

From 1285 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire ruled countries throughout the Arab world, including Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and areas of Saudi Arabia. Under Ottoman rule, visitors were permitted to gamble as a form of entertainment, and it was often incorporated into games like chess. However, there were very few formal gambling venues, and citizens across the empire didn’t participate.

As gambling grew rapidly throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, many countries began to alter their laws in order to allow specific forms in some contexts. Through the introduction of online gambling in the mid-1990s, some citizens of Arab countries have been able to gamble using overseas providers. Currently, gambling regulations remain strict across the Arab world but vary from region to region.

Variations Across Countries

The legal status of gambling varies regarding what is allowed across the different regions of the Arab world. While in some areas it is completely forbidden, others allow gambling in certain forms. In this section, we’ll explore how legislation differs across Arab countries. We got in touch with the local experts from ArabCasinoGuide to get a grasp on what is happening behind the scenes of the Gulf casino industry.

United Arab Emirates and Qatar

Across both the UAE and Qatar, gambling is banned in most forms and contexts. Penalties for those found to be engaging in gambling can include heavy fines and even imprisonment. However, in Qatar, there is one game called ‘raffles’ which is organized by Qatar Airways, where players can win prizes like cars.

In the UAE, betting via online casinos is illegal, resulting in access to gambling sites being blocked across the nation’s networks. However, there are exceptions to the gambling ban for sporting events like horse racing when done through government-operated venues. Despite strict regulations, the UAE remains a popular destination for horse racing events. It also boasts some of the wealthiest horse races in the world, such as the Dubai World Cup, which has an incredible cash prize of $35 million.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia takes one of the strictest views on gambling found across the world, as all forms are completely banned, including both physical gambling venues and online providers. For those found guilty of gambling, there are strict punishments, including up to six months in prison. There are even harsher penalties for those who are convicted of operating gambling venues, with long prison sentences and even corporal punishments. However, there are relatively few examples of people within the country being punished for gambling with overseas online providers.

Lebanon

Lebanon is home to the largest casino in the Arab world, Casino du Liban. However, with an exclusive license to host gambling activities until 2026, it is also the only operator within the country. The government also has a stake in the casino, which allows it to monitor and regulate activities. There are no specific rules relating to online gambling in Lebanon, so players can access a range of options online. However, most online overseas providers have been blocked by the government to protect the interests of Casino du Liban. Players can still use some online providers and buy casino tickets through the site PlayLebanon.

Algeria

Although gambling is illegal in Algeria, the rules surrounding it are not strictly enforced. The gambling laws focus on the providers rather than those participating, meaning that only land-based operators have ever been prosecuted. Horse racing and sports betting are also legal, and there is one state-controlled lottery provider, Patif Sportif Algerien. Online gambling has been illegal since 2018.

Tunisia

As a tourist hotspot, Tunisia allows visitors to the country to gamble as long as they produce a foreign passport and use foreign currency. For residents, gambling in person remains illegal. However, online gambling is not explicitly forbidden, allowing many residents to access gambling providers based overseas.

Egypt

Gambling (brick and mortar), except in the form of horse racing and the state-run lottery, is illegal for residents of Egypt and can result in fines and even imprisonment. However, it is legal for tourists and foreigners to gamble within the country. There are many popular casinos throughout Egypt, including in Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh, where visitors must show their foreign passport to gain entry.

Online gambling is not as strictly regulated in Egypt, allowing residents to access sites from overseas territories. However, it can be difficult for players to ensure the safety of these sites as they may not be regulated or licensed by any government. To gamble safely within Egypt, players turn to the area’s most trusted casino comparison site, ArabCasinoGuide. By comparing several factors, including safety and security, bonus options, and game variety, they provide users with a list of the top online casinos. With over 50 local experts, ArabCasinoGuide ensures that Egyptian users get the best value for their money and can safely access foreign casinos.

Gambling in the Western world

Gambling is one of the most popular hobbies within the Western sphere, where most countries allow it in some form. Throughout the Western world, gambling legislation changes regularly to ensure player safety and introduce responsible gambling measures. It is also much less restrictive than within Arab countries and aims instead to work with providers to create a fun and secure environment.

Gambling in the West is equally dangerous as the gambling in the Arab world, but Western countries have realized its big financial impact on the local economies. Most governments prefer to have an open, but regulated market, rather than forbidding gambling altogether, resulting in illegal activities and shady business practices.

USA

The USA is the biggest market within the industry and hosts the iconic home of gambling, Las Vegas. Within the country, each state controls the rules on gambling, resulting in a range of legislation. Sports betting became legal again under federal law in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruled against the 1992 PASPA decision. There are several states where gambling remains illegal, including Hawaii and Utah. Gambling was banned in Hawaii prior to it becoming a state, and it remains banned in Utah due to the high Mormon population.

Europe

Gambling is hugely popular within Europe, with the area generating over €123.4bn in 2024. Across Europe, the industry is regulated by the European Gaming and Betting Association, which introduces legislation to ensure player safety and react to customer demand. This includes regulations such as the 2025 evaluation, which updated rules about online gambling to better represent the current, mobile-based market. Across Europe, gambling remains incredibly popular, with Kosovo as the only country where the practice is banned.

So, How Does Legislation Differ Across Arab and Western Countries?

Despite the Arab Peninsula’s long history with gambling, in most areas it remains forbidden. While gambling is legal and hugely popular within most of the Western world, in Arab countries, gambling restrictions vary from region to region. In many cases, gambling in all forms, including online, can result in fines and prison sentences.

Legislation regarding gambling is also more concrete than across the Western world, where it changes to reflect player needs and developing technologies. However, in areas like Egypt and the UAE, rules around gambling have been adjusted to cater to tourists. While regulations surrounding gambling remain much stricter, there has also been a movement towards embracing the Western enthusiasm for gambling with adapted legislation.