Are Online Casinos Legal in the UAE? Our Dubai-based editorial team monitors and reviews online casino platforms accessible to UAE users.
Everything you need to know about online casinos in the UAE.
Check which platforms are already legal and which are awaiting approval.
Last Update December 4, 2025
Our Criteria
Regulated by the GCGRA
Only platforms officially licensed by the UAE’s federal gambling regulator.
Available in eligible Emirates
Platforms must be legally accessible in the UAE, with availability varying by emirate.
Restricted to players 21+
Access is limited exclusively to users who meet the legal minimum age requirement.
List of Online Casino and License Applicants in the UAE
The UAE is laying the foundation for a regulated online casino market under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Below is a list of the confirmed providers and partners contributing to the creation of a safer and fully regulated online casino ecosystem in the Emirates.
Yolo Group
Status: Licensed Vendor
Location: UAE-wide
Last Update:September 2025
Yolo Group, a global gaming and fintech company, secured authorization to support future UAE-licensed online casino and sportsbook operators through crypto-ready platforms and backend systems.
Momentum Gaming
Status: Preparing for Online Launch
Location: Federal (UAE)
Last Update:June 2025
Momentum Gaming, operator of the UAE Lottery, began hiring key executives for an online casino and sportsbook platform, indicating plans to expand into regulated iGaming once federal licensing opens.
Sportradar
Status: Licensed Vendor
Location: UAE-wide
Last Update:September 2025
Sportradar obtained vendor approval from the GCGRA, allowing it to supply sports betting data, integrity monitoring, and technical services to licensed operators across the UAE.
What You Can Expect From the UAE’s Online Casino Market?
As the UAE ventures into the world of regulated online gaming, the country is preparing to issue more licenses for online casinos in the near future.
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Legal Online Gaming
Online casino and sports betting platforms are only legal in the UAE if licensed by the GCGRA. Play971 is currently the first approved operator. Any other casino accessed from the UAE remains unregulated and outside federal protections.
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Licensing and Market Entry
The licensing of Play971 marks the UAE’s entry into regulated online gaming. Additional operators are expected to join the market once they meet the GCGRA’s eligibility and compliance requirements.
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Regulatory Framework
The establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority and its regulatory framework are paving the way for the launch of online casinos across the UAE.
Gamble Online From the UAE
A Developing Market
The UAE is now an emerging regulated online gaming market. While Play971 is the first licensed operator, more platforms are expected as the GCGRA expands approvals.
Offshore online casinos remain accessible but are not licensed under UAE law and carry legal and financial risks, even when reached via VPNs.
International Platforms
Certain international operators accept players from the UAE under offshore licenses (e.g., Malta, Curaçao, Isle of Man).
While they may provide privacy measures and 24/7 support, these protections do not override local regulations.
Users should be aware that their activity remains outside the UAE’s regulatory oversight, and therefore lacks the safeguards that will exist once local licensing begins.
The Boom of Online Casino Market in the UAE in a Nutshell
Specially in Dubai, where physical casinos are absent, individuals navigate regulatory restrictions to access online casinos, driving the growth of the online gambling market in the UAE.
Some individuals use privacy tools like VPNs to access these international sites, highlighting the gap between local regulation and global availability.
However, it is important to note that these platforms are not licensed under UAE law, and participation remains outside the protection of federal regulations.
With the launch of Play971, users now have their first locally licensed alternative — with more expected to follow.
Everything About Online Casinos in Dubai and the UAE
Will I find online casinos in the UAE?
Yes. The first legal online casino and sportsbook is Play971, licensed by the GCGRA.
All other platforms remain offshore and unregulated.
As a UAE resident, can I also claim bonuses?
Offshore casinos may offer bonuses, but these are not recognised under UAE law and provide no local consumer protection.
Play971 currently does not offer bonuses under the regulatory model.
If online casinos are restricted why I can access?
Despite local laws prohibiting online gambling, enforcement may be challenging, allowing some platforms to operate without consequence.
Some individuals use tools like VPNs to reach restricted content.
While this may bypass geographic blocks, it does not make gambling legal and does not provide player protection.
What tax implications arise if I win at an online casino in the UAE?
Currently, the GCGRA (Gaming Control and Regulation Authority) has not published any taxation rules related to gambling winnings, as no legal structure exists for online gambling yet.
For offshore platforms, UAE residents are not taxed locally, but winnings are not legally recognized either.
In other words, you’re operating outside any defined tax or protection system.