Gambling and online casinos in Oman

Oman is one of the most conservative Islamic states of the Arabian Peninsula,

where gambling is officially and religiously prohibited.

The country strictly adheres to the principles of Islam of the Ibadi sense,

and sharia serves as the basis of legislation.

Any form of gambling - be it casinos, betting or online money games -

equates to sin (haram) and a crime against public morality.

However, as in other countries in the region,

• in the era of the Internet and cryptocurrencies in Oman, there is a hidden online gambling scene,

focused on anonymity and offshore platforms.

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Religious and legal basis

Islam is the state religion of Oman,

and the Constitution (Basic Law of the Sultanate, Art. 2) enshrines:

The Quran strongly condemns gambling (maysir),

equating them with "works of Satan," leading to the destruction of faith and enmity between people.

Thus, the ban on gambling in Oman is not only legal, but also spiritual in nature,

and is supported by both government bodies and religious leaders.

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Legislation and punishments

Main legal acts:

1. Oman Criminal Code (2022, Art. 279-283) - prohibits the organization and participation in gambling.

2. Cybercrime Act (2011) - includes online gambling in the list of "acts that violate public morality."

3. Press and Publication Act (1984) - prohibits the advertising, promotion and dissemination of casino information.

Possible sanctions:

Violation	Punishment
Gambling organisation	Up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to 3,000 Omani riyals (~ $7,800)
Participation in the game for money	Up to 6 months of arrest or a fine of up to 500 riyals
Online gambling	Up to 1 year imprisonment and confiscation of equipment
Casino or betting promotion	Up to 2 years in prison and deportation (for foreigners)

In some cases, punishments can be combined with religious measures of influence,

including public censure and restriction on employment in government structures.

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Real situation

Despite strict laws, in Oman, as in many Islamic countries,

gambling has not disappeared - they just went online and crypto space.

Tight control over social life

• combined with relative freedom of access to the Internet,

which creates conditions for the development of hidden gambling through offshore platforms.

The main characteristics of the underground market:

• using VPN and proxy services to bypass locks;
• deposits and payments through cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, USDT, Tron, Ethereum);
• participation in offshore casinos (1xBet, Stake, BetWinner, BC. Game, Cloudbet);
• private advertising and "mirrors" in Telegram and Discord;
• betting on international sports - football, cricket, Formula 1.

According to the analytical report Middle East Online Gaming 2024,

about 90,000 users from Oman visit offshore casinos monthly,

and the total amount of illegal gambling in the country is estimated at more than $250 million per year.

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Control and supervision

Control over the Internet and information security is carried out by:

• Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) - blocking sites and VPN;
• Royal Oman Police (ROP) - combating cybercrime and illegal activity;
• Islamic Affairs Authority - religious supervision and the formation of public morality.

Almost all sites containing the keywords "casino," "bet," "slots,"

are under automatic lock.

However, users actively use TOR and encrypted DNS services

which makes complete suppression of online gambling impossible.

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Online gambling and cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies in Oman are officially allowed for investment purposes,

• but banned from gambling and "illicit financial transactions."
• The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) in 2023 recalled,

that the use of cryptocurrencies for "non-moral purposes" could lead to criminal liability.

Nevertheless, it was crypt that became the main tool for circumventing banking bans.

Players deposit funds through Binance P2P, OKX, TronLink

and make anonymous transactions without involving local banks.

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Socio-cultural aspect

Omani society is deeply traditional and religious.

Gambling is perceived as a sin and a threat to social stability.

Imams and religious scholars regularly warn

• that participation in betting and online casinos "leads to spiritual impoverishment and loss of dignity."

However, among the younger generation,

• especially students and IT professionals,

interest in crypto gambling and international gaming platforms is growing.

For them, excitement is digital entertainment,

• rather than breaking religious norms if "played secretly and for small sums."

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Economic aspect

Oman has a stable economy based on oil and gas,

and does not need casino legalization as a source of revenue.

However, the country is developing digital technologies, blockchain and fintech,

• what in the future could lead to a regulated online entertainment industry

for foreign investors and tourists.

Some experts believe

• that Oman may consider limited resort casino licenses by 2035,
• aimed at foreign tourists in coastal zones -

following the example of the Saudi NEOM project or the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE.

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Prospects

In the short term (until 2030)

gambling in Oman will remain completely banned.

However, digitalization and global trends,

• as well as pressure from regional competitors (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain),
• can lead to gradual liberalism regarding "entertainment licenses"

for international operators.

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Oman is a country where religious tradition is stronger than commercial interest.

Gambling here remains prohibited,

and society views them as a threat to spiritual and family values.

However, in the world of cryptocurrencies and VPNs

excitement has already found a place for itself - quiet, hidden, but stable.

Oman remains a symbol of a strict Islamic approach,

• where law and faith are one,

but reality is inching towards an age of digital compromise.