Find the Best Bookmakers in United Arab Emirates 2023 🇦🇪

First is the vast sports fan base. The UAE has many sports enthusiasts, from football diehards to cricket fans. The country hosts several top-tier sporting events, including the famous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In addition, the UAE is affiliated with several football clubs, including Premier League giants Manchester City and Newcastle, alongside Ligue 1's Paris Saint Germain (PSG).

Another reason betting is popular in the UAE is the fantastic sports betting bonuses. Punters can claim a wide range of betting offers, including welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, cashback, free bets, etc. There are also loyalty programs where players get rewarded with redeemable points.

Sports betting in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates doesn't have many gambling fans, just like all other states where the majority of the population is Muslim.

History of betting in the United Arab Emirates

Betting and gambling don't have a long history in the United Arab Emirates though it is practiced in many parts of the Middle East. This is mainly because the Islamic culture doesn't permit any form of gambling, including betting on sports. In the past, there were no betting sites or any other premises offering gambling services.

It wasn't until the UAE started receiving expatriates and tourists that gambling started to crop up. It all started when many foreigners arrived in the country for work. Many Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Chinese, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Vietnamese, and Africans arrived in the UAE with gambling cultures from their countries.

Interestingly, foreigners accounted for 89% of the total population in the UAE in 2021. Besides the expatriates, the UAE is a top tourist destination that receives visitors from countries where betting is legal.

Most of these visitors were into gambling back in their countries, so during their free time in the UAE, they started gambling. The bookies quickly noticed the sudden demand for betting markets in the UAE and started accepting players from the Emirates.

Betting nowadays in the UAE

Today, sports betting is a big industry in the United Arab Emirates. While only the foreigners took part in betting in the past, today, even the locals have started betting and engaging in other forms of gambling, though in small numbers.

There are no physical betting shops or locally operated betting sites, but UAE punters can still bet on their favorite games at offshore online bookmakers. For starters, offshore bookies are gambling sites that operate from outside the jurisdiction of the United Arab Emirates.

The availability of offshore betting sites has really filled the gap that was there before. Gamblers in the UAE had no place to bet. But thanks to the internet and technology, punters can wager on the different sports betting markets right from the comfort of their homes. Besides the availability of betting sites, UAE's 100% internet penetration is a significant factor contributing to the growth of sports betting and gambling.

Another facilitator in the growth of sports betting in the UAE is Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other anonymous browsing tools, for example, anti detect browsers. These online security and privacy tools help UAE bettors to access betting websites blocked by the government.

The future of betting in the UAE

While betting is not so common in the UAE, it is slowly gaining traction. As the UAE continues to host more sporting events and its investors spread their wings to top sports leagues, predominantly European football, expect more people from the UAE to venture into sports betting. Most bet for the thrill, while others take betting as a career, though it is not advisable.

Considering the popularity of sports betting globally, there's no doubt more UAE citizens, expatriates, and tourists will bet. Several aspects will be the catalysts in the exponential growth of the sports betting industry that will be witnessed.

First is the fantastic betting bonuses that bookies offer. Many bettors are attracted to betting because of offers such as no deposit bonuses and lucrative deposit bonuses. The availability of flexible banking methods is also a factor that will undoubtedly facilitate the popularity of betting in the UAE. As a tourist destination, the United Arab Emirates is also likely to relax its stance on foreign gamblers.

Are betting sites legal in the United Arab Emirates?

While many online betting sites accept players from the UAE, the big question is, what does the law say about gambling?

Betting legislation in the UAE

All forms of gambling in the UAE are illegal, be it sports betting or casino gambling. Unlike many other countries where gambling is unlawful, the UAE actively prosecutes those who violate this law. This has been the case since 1998 when stricter regulations were introduced banning all gambling, including in luxury hotels.

The ban on gambling is influenced by Islam. The Quran heavily condemns gambling, terming it a social disease that destroys the social fabric. Besides, Islam reckons that material wealth should be obtained through serious, legitimate work. Gambling is not considered an honest way of earning a living.

The law explained

According to the UAE's laws, illegal gambling involves participating in gambling as a bettor or facilitating gambling activity in any way. According to Article 414 of the UAE Penal Code, gamblers risk a jail term of two years or fines not exceeding AED20,000. As for anyone facilitating gambling, the risk is a jail term of up to 10 years, according to Article 415 of the same law.

The authorities have been very keen on enforcing gambling laws busting thousands of gamblers in the jurisdiction. In 2017, 12 Chinese nationals were charged for running a gambling den.

In 2019, three men were fined AED 100,000 and sentenced to one year in prison for organizing gambling activities. These are just some of the many cases where the government has flexed its muscle on gambling.

In 2021, there were rumors that Dubai had started issuing gambling licenses. But the Government of Dubai Media Office denied the claims insisting that gambling remains illegal in Dubai just as it is in the entire UAE.

The exceptions

While gambling is prohibited in the UAE by law, there are some exceptions. For example, several horse racing venues allow guests to punt on some horses, but the service is strictly regulated.

There's also the UAE Civil Code which allows wagering on specific circumstances, but the requirements are strict. There has to be certainty of the prize, the party that gives the prize, and the scope of the bet.

Betting Acts in the UAE

Now, to fully understand the legal perspective of gambling in the United Arab Emirates, it's essential to know the common acts.

The Penal Code

First is the Penal Code, which defines gambling as a game where each party agrees that the loser pays a specific sum of money or any other thing decided upon. According to this act, gambling is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Cyber Crimes Law

There's also the Cyber Crimes Law that sheds light on the legality of online gambling. This act sets out a penalty of a fine, imprisonment, or both for anyone found creating, managing or operating a website offering betting markets, transmitting, publishing, or sending gambling content.

Media Regulations

Another law is on media regulations. Here, the UAE requires all media houses to comply with the advertising standards. In this law, media should desist from publishing any content that offends God and Islamic beliefs, for example, gambling.

Internet Access Management Policy

Last is the Internet Access Management policy implemented by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. This policy stipulates that internet service providers should block access to any site providing illegal content that is not consistent with the law and Islamic beliefs. Such content includes betting.

Indeed, the UAE government has total control over gambling. Considering the Islamic culture, deeply rooted in the UAE, it's doubtful that betting for locals will be legalized in the near future.

United Arab Emirates players' favorite games

There are so many sports to bet on at bookies in the United Arab Emirates. Bettors can wager on ball sports, motorsports, or combat sports.

Football, the most popular sport in the UAE, is the most bet on sport. The sites cover the local football scene, offering markets on the UAE Pro League, the most prestigious football league in the country, the UAE First Division League, and the UAE Second Division League. Besides domestic football, players can wager on other top leagues, such as the English Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc.

The second most wagered on sport is cricket, which is also the second most popular game in the UAE. Here again, players can bet on the local cricket leagues or international tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, or T20 World Cup.

Other sports that players in UAE bet on include tennis, badminton, golf, basketball, rugby, volleyball, hockey, ice hockey, camel racing, horse racing, Formula 1, MotoGP, and cycling.

UAE betting sites go the extra mile to offer virtual sports betting, eSports betting, and in-play betting, otherwise known as live betting.

Payment methods in the United Arab Emirates

Betting sites in the United Arab Emirates offer free money betting and real money betting. To win real money, punters need to deposit real money, be it fiat currency or cryptocurrency.

Currencies

Talking of currencies, these betting sites are primarily multicurrency and support the local currency known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dirham, or simply the Emirati dirham.

Besides the dirham, other popular currencies such as the US dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar, and euro are supported. In addition, select UAE bookies also allow players to use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which facilitate anonymous gambling.

Deposit and withdrawal methods

When it comes to payment methods, there are plenty of options. But given that gambling is illegal, players should consider discreet payment methods. Here, the best option is eWallets; for example, Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, Apple Pay, AliPay, WePay, and PayPal.

For those who would like to bet using crypto, CoinsPaid is the best choice. Of course, there are deposit and withdrawal limits set by the individual betting operators and payment methods as well.

One great thing about the UAE bookmakers listed on this page is the state-of-the-art security. All the sites have been secured using the latest military-grade encryption so players can deposit with peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to bet in the United Arab Emirates?

Yes. Betting at sites that accept players from the United Arab Emirates is safe. This is as long as bettors register and play at licensed and regulated bookies. Credible betting sites display their licensing information on the footer or in the 'About Us' section.

Is sports betting allowed in the UAE?

No. Sports betting is not legal in the United Arab Emirates. The country's gambling laws are influenced by the strict Muslim law that prohibits all forms of gambling; anyone engaging in betting risks jail terms and hefty fines.

How do players bet discreetly in the UAE?

While the government has strict laws on gambling, including blocking betting sites, punters can still wager on their favorite sports. There are plenty of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that players use to access blocked betting websites.

Is betting allowed in Dubai?

Even though Dubai is seen as a friendly country that embraces all cultures, betting and other forms of gambling are not allowed, just like in the entire United Arab Emirates.

Can bettors play on mobile?

Yes. There are many betting sites that have been designed for both desktop and mobile gaming via the mobile browser or native apps for iOS and Android devices.

Most Popular Bookies in United Arab Emirates