Effects of Recent Gambling Advancements in Dubai, UAE, on the Poker Sector
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a popular tourist destination over the past 25 years, catering to visitors with diverse interests and hobbies due to balanced investments across various hospitality sectors. This transformation was made possible by heavy investments aimed at making the UAE a tourist hotspot.
In the realm of gambling, the UAE maintains a strict stance. As of 2025, both land-based and online casinos remain illegal, with Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 1987 prohibiting all forms of gambling. This includes online casinos and in-person betting activities, with penalties such as imprisonment and heavy fines for violators.
Currently, there are no legal land-based casinos operating in the UAE due to Islamic laws explicitly banning gambling. However, the government has allowed three specific lotteries—The UAE Lottery, Big Ticket at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Dubai Duty Free lottery—which are the only authorized forms of gambling.
In 2023, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), a federal body tasked with developing a regulated gaming framework. This authority is laying the groundwork for potentially legal commercial gaming operations, including integrated resort casinos, such as the upcoming Wynn Resort in Ras Al Khaimah. Licenses have been issued to some operators, indicating a move towards a future legal gambling sector, but as of now, no casinos operate openly and legally.
Regarding online gambling, it is strictly banned, and government agencies actively block access to gambling websites and monitor financial transactions for gambling activity. Nonetheless, many UAE residents access offshore online casinos licensed in other jurisdictions through VPNs, though these remain unlicensed and illegal under UAE law. The focus of enforcement targets local gambling operations rather than punishing individual players using offshore sites.
The UAE has been actively working towards attracting Western visitors, as shown by the latest Yas Island advertisements featuring Ryan Reynolds as the official island ambassador. The amusement parks of the UAE, such as Ferrari World, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Warner Bros. World, and Motiongate Dubai, are major draws for visitors from around the world. Adventure and eco tourists are also satisfied by desert safaris, dune buggy expeditions, and surfing beaches in the UAE.
In terms of the future, the GCGRA is likely to move forwards with legalising online gambling before any other type of gambling. The casino gambling industry is also in the process of being legalised and regulated by the GCGRA, with major gambling brands showing interest in entering the region. The Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort is expected to open in early 2027.
While the gambling landscape in the UAE is currently restricted, government movements suggest that a controlled, regulated casino industry may emerge, with the potential for integrated resort casinos like the Wynn Resort. However, it remains prospective rather than current.
| Aspect | Status in UAE 2025 | |------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Land-based casinos | Illegal; no legal casinos operate due to Islamic law | | Online casinos | Illegal; access to offshore sites blocked but possible via VPN | | Authorized gambling | Limited to three lotteries only | | Regulatory authority | GCGRA established in 2023 to develop regulated gaming framework | | Future outlook | Plans for integrated resort casinos (e.g., Wynn Resort) underway but not operational yet |
[1] Al-Khateeb, A. (2023). The UAE's Gambling Landscape: A Look at the Current Regulations and Future Prospects. Gulf News. [Online] Available at: https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/the-uae-s-gambling-landscape-a-look-at-the-current-regulations-and-future-prospects-1.1660531095738
[2] UAE Government. (2025). Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 1987. [Online] Available at: https://www.uaegov.ae/en/legislation/federal-decree-law-no-3-of-1987/
[3] Wynn Resorts. (2025). Wynn Resorts Secures First Gaming License in UAE for Luxury Resort Casino. [Online] Available at: https://www.wynnresorts.com/news/press-releases/wynn-resorts-secures-first-gaming-license-in-uae-for-luxury-resort-casino
[4] GCGRA. (2023). About Us. [Online] Available at: https://www.gcgra.ae/about-us/
- The UAE's cautious stance on gambling extends to both land-based and online casinos, with federal laws prohibiting all forms of gambling, including casino games like poker.
- Despite the restrictions, there's a growing trend towards the legalization of gambling in the UAE, as illustrated by the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority and the approval of licenses for integrated resort casinos such as the Wynn Resort.
- While fantasy sports are not directly mentioned in the current regulations, the potential for the legalization and regulation of casino-and-gambling operations, like integrated resort casinos, could pave the way for the future inclusion of such activities.
