Laws and regulation

In the United Arab Emirates, gambling is traditionally prohibited by criminal law and Sharia: casinos, bookmaking and online play are not allowed, access to gaming sites is blocked, and liability is provided for organization and participation.

Only narrow, strictly regulated formats without the classic "gambling" element are allowed - promotional draws and lottery initiatives with strict rules and payment checks (KYC/AML).

In recent years, a federal supervisory framework for "commercial gaming" has been formed, but full-fledged casino licenses or bets have not been introduced, and operators adhere to a geoblocking policy.

Practical consequence: for business and media, only content and partnerships outside of betting are allowed; any experimental models require prior legal auditing at the federation and emirate level.