Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
Gambling and online casinos in Yemen
Yemen is one of the most religiously conservative states in the Middle East,
where gambling is completely prohibited by both law and religion.
Any form of money gambling is treated as a sin (haram) and a criminal offence.
There are no casinos, bookmakers or lotteries in the country,
and gambling is punishable under Islamic sharia.
Yet, despite poverty, military conflict and social instability,- there is a small underground segment of online gambling in Yemen,
working through cryptocurrencies, Telegram and foreign sites.
Religious and legal basis
Yemen is an Islamic republic,
and sharia (Islamic law) is recognized as the source of all laws of the state.
The Constitution (Article 3) explicitly enshrines:In the Quran, gambling (maysir, qimar) is referred to as "the work of Satan" and "the path to enmity and poverty."
Accordingly, any game based on chance and money bet,
in Yemen it is considered sinful and contrary to Islam.
Legislation
The basic laws are:1. Yemeni Penal Code (1994, Art. 320-324) - prohibits gambling, their organization and participation.
2. Sharia Courts Act - provides for the use of religious punishments (hadd, taazir) for "sinful entertainment."
3. Cybercrime Act (2014) - includes online gambling in the list of "activities contrary to Islamic morality."
4. Press and Media Act (1990) - prohibits advertising and mention of gambling in any form.
Punishments:Thus, any participation in gambling in Yemen entails real criminal liability.
Real situation
In practice, due to the lack of a sustainable legal system and the ongoing civil war,
control over the Internet and cyberspace is fragmented.
Different regions (Sana'a, Aden, Saada) are controlled by different political forces -- including the Houthis and the interim government, -
resulting in varying degrees of severity in the application of Islamic norms.
Real market features:- in the northern provinces (under the control of the Hussites), gambling is severely punished, up to public censure;
- in the southern regions (Aden, Hadramaut) the authorities are more liberal,
- and small "gaming clubs" for foreigners may operate informally;
- online gambling develops stealthily,
- mainly through VPNs, cryptocurrencies and Telegram groups.
According to unofficial sources (2024),
about 50-70 thousand users from Yemen at least once visited offshore gambling sites.
Popular destinations are 1xBet, Stake, BetWinner, PokerStars, Parimatch.
Online gambling and cryptocurrencies
Due to the lack of banking services and international payment systems- (sanctions, isolation, absence of Visa/MasterCard),
in Yemen, cryptocurrencies have become the main means of accessing online gambling.
Players use:- Bitcoin, Tether (USDT), Tron (TRX) for deposits;
- Binance P2P and OKX for exchange without bank cards;
- anonymous Telegram bots for "replenishment through intermediaries."
The largest offshore casinos have adapted the interface to the Arabic language,
and local Telegram groups distribute "mirrors" and login codes.
However, the risks are great:- in 2023, cases of arrest of citizens for participating in online betting were recorded,
- and mobile providers began to actively block VPN applications.
Control and supervision
In peacetime, supervision would be carried out by the Ministry of the Interior and the Sharia Committee,
but due to martial law, the functions of control are performed by local religious bodies:- Islamic sharia courts - sentencing for "sinful acts";
- Houthi morality police (Zainabiyat) - identifying "immoral behavior," including gambling;
- Ministry of Communications (in government areas) - blocking sites with "prohibited content."
In practice, the state controls only part of the Internet traffic,
and most users freely use VPN and foreign networks.
Social and cultural aspect
Yemeni society is deeply religious,- and gambling is perceived as a symbol of moral decline and "Western influence."
- Even talking about gambling is considered shameful,
and participation can lead to social ostracism.
Still, among the urban younger generation,- having access to the Internet and cryptocurrencies,
- excitement is seen as digital entertainment,
- unrelated to traditional "sin."
"I can't play football in the stadium - it was closed because of the war.
But I can play online - let it be my way of forgetting"
Economic aspect
Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world,
where more than 80% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Any form of legalization of gambling is impossible for political reasons,
religious and social reasons.
However, experts note:- if the country had stabilized,
- creation of tourist areas (for example, on Socotra Island)
- could attract foreign investment -
- including resort gambling for non-residents.
- This is only a hypothetical scenario of the future.
Prospects
To date, the legalization of gambling in Yemen is impossible.
The state is focused on Islamic law,
and religious forces have total control over public morality.
However, growing digitalization and use of cryptocurrencies
create new paths for illegal gambling.
Online casinos, anonymous Telegram groups and crypto payments- will remain part of the "underground Internet,"
until the country returns to a stable legal system.
Yemen is an example of a country where religion completely defines the legal system.
Gambling here is not just a prohibited activity,
and a symbol of spiritual decay and Western influence.
However, even in such conditions, the Internet and cryptocurrencies- spawned a new generation of players,
who lives in the digital underground, playing anonymously.
and the act of digital escapism,
where risk is the only thing left under human control.
- and before peace government and reform
there can be no talk of legalizing casinos and online games.
