Will You Find Casinos in Dubai? As of today, there are no legal casinos in Dubai, though online alternatives are accessible. Gambling is restricted in the UAE due to legal and cultural considerations.
Everything you need to know about the legalization of gambling in Dubai.
Whether you’re curious about the current scenario of casinos in Dubai, seeking legal information or exploring available options, we’ve got you covered.
Last Update April 16, 2024
What You Need to Know About Casinos in Dubai
Are There Casinos in Dubai?
No, there are no legal casinos in Dubai as gambling is still illegal in the country.
Dubai, like the rest of the UAE, strictly prohibits gambling due to cultural and religious beliefs.
Are There Online Casinos in Dubai?
Yes, online casinos do operate in Dubai, despite the strict prohibition of gambling.
However, the government may block access to these sites due to federal laws.
Are There Penalties to Gamble in Dubai?
Yes, engaging in any form of gambling activities in Dubai can result in law issues.
This actions can lead to imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to AED 50,000.
What We Know About The First Casino in Dubai?
The first casino in the UAE will be in Ras Al Khaimah, a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Dubai.
Construction is already underway and is planned to be completed by 2027 and is set to establish the first casino in the UAE.
Additionally, MGM is also set to have a casino in the center of Dubai in case of gambling legalization.
Both projects are closely monitoring the actions of the UAE gaming regulatory body as they await regulation.
Are Resorts & Hotel Groups Planning to Open Casinos in Dubai?
Yes, the Wynn Group is currently undertaking an ambitious project to establish a resort in Ras Al Khaimah, located north of Dubai, which will include a casino.
On the other hand, previous plans by other entities such as Caesars Palace and Bulgari Resorts to establish casinos in Dubai have been discarded.
Wynn Resorts
Status: Ongoing
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
Deadline: 2027
Wynn Resorts is set to launch an ambitious project, marking its first foray into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with a multibillion-dollar integrated resort with casino.
MGM Resorts
Status: Interested
Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Last Update: 2024
In March 2024, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle stated that the resort group is awaiting the green light on a gaming license to proceed with plans to establish the first-ever casino venture in the heart of Dubai.
Banyan Tree
Status: Rumour
Location: Dubai
Last Update: 2023
Soloviev’s CEO Michael Hershman shook the industry with news of a partnership with Banyan Tree for a casino project in NYC, hinting at potential developments mirroring the rebranding of Caesars Palace in Dubai.
Caesars Palace
Status: Discarded
Location: Dubai
Last Update: 2023
The delay in legalizing gambling in Dubai prompted Caesars Palace to move, notably with a competitor sealing a $3.9 billion deal for a pioneering casino project in Ras Al Khaimah, north of Dubai.
Bulgari Resorts
Status: Discarded
Location: Dubai
Last Update: 2024
In light of speculation about the UAE potentially legalizing gambling, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has taken a clear stance, by commenting that they’re not interested in adding a casino to their properties.
List of Online Casinos in Dubai
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring the city – you’ll find these online casinos in Dubai.
See our quick preview or read more about the world of online casinos.
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Exceptions to Gamble in Dubai
Gambling in Racecourses
Meydan Racecourse and Jebel Ali Racecourse serve not only as venues for witnessing the majestic sport of horse racing but also as centers where limited forms of betting take place. It’s crucial to understand that any form of wagering conducted here is heavily regulated and operates within a legal framework designed to maintain the integrity of the sport and adhere to the country’s laws.
How Gambling Occurs
Instead of traditional betting, the focus at Dubai’s racecourses is on prize moneys, pools, and gambling channels related to horse racing. But these are tightly controlled and are not akin to the gambling industries seen in other countries. Participation in these activities is usually through legal channels that are regulated to ensure they do not conflict with Islamic principles.
What Are Industry Leaders’ Projections for Casinos in the UAE?
Hear directly from industry leaders such as Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM, or Bruno Ascenção, a gambling lawyer in Macau, as they share their views on the future of gambling in the UAE.
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Craig Billings – Wynn Resorts CEO
“We think there will be three or four casinos in the Emirates. It’s up to each ruler to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it.”
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Bill Hornbuckle – MGM CEO
“I think the UAE will start with lottery and go into digital gaming, and probably the actual first casino license will be issued in Abu Dhabi, followed potentially by what’s happening with Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah.”
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Bruno Ascenção – Gambling Lawyer
“Although there are other casinos in countries where Islam is the dominant religion, Dubai has a considerable challenge to overcome since religions operate in the realm of belief and not reason.”
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Everything About Gambling in Dubai and the Legal Status in the UAE
Is gambling legal in Dubai and the UAE?
Gambling in all its forms is prohibited in the UAE, including in the city of Dubai. Neither residents nor visitors are permitted to engage in in-person or online betting activities.
There are a handful of casinos and sports betting sites that hold global licenses and accept players located in the UAE.
When will gambling become legal in the UAE?
Although there’s not a definitive date for gambling to become legal in the UAE, it’s expected this changes in the upcoming years. In September 2023, the UAE established a new regulatory agency to supervise commercial gaming.
There are also multiple factors hinting that gambling will soon become legal, like the investment of Wynn of nearly $ 3 Billion in a Casino Resort to be launched in 2027.
What are the current state laws?
Article 460 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021 (penal code) defines gambling games as agreements where losers commit to paying predetermined amounts to winners.
To manage gambling activities on digital platforms, the UAE has implemented the Cyber Crime Law. Article 38 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021 specifically targets online gambling activities.
What is the punishment for gambling in Dubai?
The punishment for gambling in Dubai can be penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to AED 50,000 (over $10,000).
As for online gambling in the UAE, the convicts face detention and fines between AED 250,000 ($68,000) and AED 500,000 ($136,000).
Is online gambling also illegal?
As it’s also a form of gambling, online casinos and sportsbooks are also covered by law and considered illegal. However, some online casinos own an international license to operate worldwide, creating a grey area in the law.
Some players opt by using a VPN to access online casinos, as this is a safe and easy way to access websites that are blocked in the UAE.
Islamic Sharia Law & Gambling in Dubai
Legal Implications
Under Islamic Sharia law, gambling is unequivocally prohibited. This prohibition is not just a cultural norm but a legal mandate that influences the legal framework and judicial practices in many Islamic countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a prominent emirate. The legal status of gambling in Dubai and the broader UAE is deeply intertwined with the principles of Sharia, which serve as a foundational source for the country’s legislation and moral guidelines.
Legal Framework
While Sharia serves as a guiding principle, the UAE’s legal system is a hybrid structure that also incorporates elements of civil law to govern various aspects of public and private life. By now the UAE is a major global tourist destination known for its hospitality and cosmopolitan cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi and visitors are also expected to abide by local laws, including those regarding gambling.
Legal Updates on Gambling in the UAE and Dubai
Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket, a major UAE prize draw platform, has temporarily halted operations under the mandate of the UAE Gaming Regulatory Authority. This pause prompts reflection for organizers and regulators, amidst regulatory adjustments and operational reviews.
MGM’s interest in the UAE comes at a crucial juncture, with the region displaying increasing openness to the concept of legalized casino gaming. The CEO of MGM emphasized that their hotel development in Dubai is poised to adapt to gaming should there be favorable changes in the legal environment.
“As a brand, we are not interested in adding a casino to one of our properties,” Attilio Marro, Senior Director of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, told our team. He emphasized the group’s opposition to casino integration in Dubai, prioritizing luxury and elegance over gambling.
MGM Resorts’ ‘The Island’ in Dubai, led by CEO Bill Hornbuckle, is a $2.5 billion project that will initially open without a casino, but is designed to accommodate one in the future, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to the region’s hospitality industry.
Wynn Resorts’ CEO, Craig Billings, predicts the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort to be a transformative tourism gem in the United Arab Emirates, with construction progressing towards its next phase and a strategic focus on long-term shareholder value.
Dubai creates gaming history with the inaugural ‘Casino Countdown’ conference by Arabian Business, setting the stage for a significant shift as the UAE welcomes its first-ever gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
UAE and General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) initiate a suspension of prize draws as part of a regulatory overhaul to establish a framework for national lottery and commercial gaming.
Dubai’s is putting casino plans on hold, as senior government officials see it as ‘not a priority’ due to the booming tourism industry in the city. However, the Casino Ras Al Khaimah project continues to move forward.
The UAE might allocate one casino license per each of its 7 Emirates in an effort to tap the lucrative gaming tourism market.
Bloomberg expects gambling to bring up to $7 billion of revenue annually to the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates sets up a federal entity to regulate gaming and hired veterans of the U.S. gambling industry to lead it, as stated by the news agency WAM.
Wynn Resorts announces the opening of a casino mega resort in 2027 in Ras Al Khaimah, hinting a major turning point in the historically imposed stricter islamic laws regarding gambling.
The global gambling industry anticipates that the UAE might become the first Gulf nation to legalize casinos, potentially surpassing Singapore as a gambling hub, despite current Islamic laws prohibiting the practice; however, official plans remain uncertain.
Are There Casino Alternatives Available in Dubai?
Online
The use of VPNs to access online casinos in other countries is a common practice among some individuals in Dubai. While this allows users to connect to servers outside the UAE, it is crucial to note that such activities remain illegal under local laws.
Horse Races
While there are legal racecourses like Nad Al Sheba and Jebel Ali you will find legal prize moneys, pools, and gambling channels, which are conducted under specific conditions and regulations, offer a form of participation without constituting gambling in the traditional sense.
On The Streets
Despite the absence of legal casinos, there are instances of illegal bets circulating around race tracks. Engaging in such activities is strongly discouraged, as it can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment for up to 2 years.
