Does Dubai Allow Sports Betting?
Throughout the United Arab Emirates all forms of gambling are banned, while sports betting and even advertisements relating to gambling are sources of controversy. Still, there are certain methods that tourists and expats can use to continue gambling and placing wagers on their favourite sports without breaking the law.
Why is Gambling and Betting Illegal in the UAE?
Considering how incredibly wealthy areas of the UAE such as Dubai are, why is it that gambling is so frowned upon? After all, numerous foreign sites such as the Guts.com online casino operator offer betting odds on many of the sports that take place in the UAE such as horse racing and cricket, so why on Earth is it banned?
Across the United Arab Emirates, a variety of laws and rules are based on passages found in the Quran, the main religious text of Islam. This is also true of gambling-related laws and is the main reason why gambling is not permitted in the United Arab Emirates.
There are three main passages that the UAE government uses to exclude gambling from the long list of legalised games throughout the country. All three of these excerpts liken gambling to a sin and state that it was created by Satan to create hatred and enmity between friends and family. Really, it all comes down to morals and the idea that money must be earned through honest work and considerate effort, not simply won by luck.
Throughout history though, many Muslim scholars who have agreed that to participate in challenges, competitions and sports is perfectly fine, reasonable and even virtuous. However, for most betting, lotteries and sometimes even raffles are frowned upon if not entirely forbidden. This is the main reason why brick-and-mortar casinos are illegal and online gambling sites are blocked throughout the UAE.
How Can Visitors Continue to Bet on Sports?
Alas, the UAE is one the wealthiest countries in the world where rich citizens and visitors are encouraged to spend their cash and enjoy themselves. It’s no surprise that many natives and tourists alike are often looking for a way to enjoy themselves through gambling, which may be why some forms of sports betting have managed to remain legal in three specific affluent areas, including Dubai.
Horse racing is incredibly popular throughout the UAE, with The Dubai World Cup remaining one of the most beloved and famous horse races. It is also the most profitable horse race on Earth, with a prize jackpot equivalent to $10 million, which brings in thousands of tourists from around the world. Each year, approximately 50,000 people gather at Meydan Racecourse to watch as pedigree horses race on a 2km track. It remains illegal to offer wagers from within the UAE even within cities like Dubai so no onsite gambling establishments will be found, but non-natives are technically allowed to place bets using offshore bookies.
The same tactic is used by fans of sports such as cricket. Every year the UAE hosts a number of cricket competitions attended by professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world. Needless to say, there are plenty of those who attend who also enjoy gambling, and so they turn to foreign bookies to do this. Of course, it is crucial that each gambler picks an online bookie that best suits their country of origin.
Could Dubai Ever Become the New Las Vegas?
Despite the fact that both offline and online casinos are banned for natives throughout the UAE, there are rumours of specialised online casinos made specifically for UAE residents. These sites can only be accessed in certain regions, but offer a safe and secure gambling experience to anyone who manages to access them. Ever since these sites started to appear, the idea of a gambling market in the UAE has spurred competition among casino operators.
Though there’s little chance of a casino opening up in Dubai or the rest of the UAE anytime soon, there is a small chance that online gambling could become less abhorred than it is currently. This is especially true when we consider how successful a city like Dubai could be if it were to emulate a location like Las Vegas. The amount of money brought in through tourism, wagers and advertising would be absolutely astounding.
