It is important to understand that Islam is the official religion of the country, pursuant to the Constitution of the UAE.  Gambling is prohibited in Islam, and this forms the basis for the federal and local emirate laws that prohibit all forms of gambling, as well as the advertising of any form of gaming. 

In many jurisdictions, the legality of gambling and gambling-related advertisements is contentious and continues to be topical.  However, these issues, more often than not, tend to be focused on concerns with children or minors' exposure to gambling culture, as well as protecting vulnerable people, as opposed to having a religious element driving the need for regulation.

The UAE regime is relatively straight-forward: subject to the exceptions we set out below, gambling and any gambling-related advertising in any way, shape or form is prohibited.  Our view is that this includes offering online gambling services to UAE residents from offshore.

Exceptions