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.
While online gambling is not yet officially licensed under UAE federal law, several international platforms operate offshore and are frequently reviewed for transparency, security, and fairness.
Last Update November 7, 2025
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.
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.
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..
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
The UAE’s online gaming industry will emphasize legal operations through licensed platforms, with robust measures to address and prevent illegal gambling activities.
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Licensing and Market Entry
The award of the first online gaming license to The Game LLC indicates that the UAE is ready to issue additional licenses, allowing more operators to enter the online market.
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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 considered an emerging market for regulated online gaming, with the federal authority (GCGRA) currently defining the legal framework for both physical and digital gambling.
Until licenses are officially granted, no online casino is authorized to operate locally.
However, some residents access offshore platforms hosted in other jurisdictions. These sites often promote welcome bonuses and promotions, but they are not licensed under UAE law, and participation may carry legal and financial risks.
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.
Everything About Online Casinos in Dubai and the UAE
Will I find online casinos in the UAE?
Yes, although the government does not permit online casino activities, you’ll find casinos operating in the UAE with offshore locations.
Accessing or using these sites remains a grey area under federal regulation and is not legally recognized by the UAE authorities.
As a UAE resident, can I also claim bonuses?
Some offshore casinos may allow users from the UAE to register and access their promotional offers.
However, this does not imply legality or consumer protection under UAE jurisdiction.
If bonuses or promotions are claimed on such sites, they fall entirely under foreign laws, meaning that players have no legal recourse locally in case of disputes, withheld payments, or bonus conditions not being met.
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.