ShareGood question! Given how much disinformation and outdated information there is online right now concerning this subject, we thought it about time we cleared things up once and for all. We want to make sure that you know your rights, understand your legal obligations, and can get everything you need to play with peace of mind.
Let’s take a closer look at this complex, rapidly evolving issue by starting with the historical backstory.
The Islamic view of gambling
Much like charging interest is prohibited in Islamic law, so is gambling for money in the hope of making a lucrative return. This is something that has been the norm for centuries, making gambling something of a forbidden fruit for millions of people in the region.
While real-world experience has shown that underground gambling and poker venues would still operate from time to time, they did so at the margins of society. The problem here — alongside the potential for harsh criminal penalties — is that the industry would be unregulated. While regulation may sound like red tape that slows things down for players, the opposite is actually true. Robust, transparent regulation that is applied consistently and fairly is the only way to protect players’ interests when money is on the table.
Because Islam forms the bedrock of both local and federal law in all of the Emirates, gambling has been historically banned, as has any form of advertising that promotes gambling to the wider population. The interesting news is that the age of the smartphone is changing everything.
The liberalisation of Dubai
As the younger generation has entered the world of employment and accrued their own streams of disposable income, they have been exposed to the wider world at scale. The smartphone and constant internet connectivity allow young people in Dubai and the rest of the UAE to see how their friends, colleagues, and peers in other parts of the world are spending their free time.
Why does this matter? It matters because it has given them insights into new ways of spending their free time that would have potentially never occurred to them when living in a more conservative culture. While none of this is to say that Islam no longer has a central place in society, it does show that the region is becoming increasingly liberal and progressive from the point of view of social politics.
Many young people throughout North America, Europe, and Asia play online games of all varieties, plenty of which are casino games like poker. Being able to access these forms of entertainment with nothing more than a smartphone and a reliable internet connection makes them so much more accessible than finding an underground poker game. The result has been a shift by the authorities towards a more liberal stance on poker and other forms of games that involve placing wagers for money. Regulation is what has made this shift possible and it’s what allows players from all walks of life to play online poker in Dubai and the Emirates.
Is online poker legal in Dubai?
Yes, at the time of writing, online poker is 100% legal in Dubai and players can place wagers safely in the knowledge that there will be no legal or religious repercussions for doing so. Just what you want to hear when you’re looking to enjoy a new pastime in a region that has historically been diametrically opposed to such pursuits.
The shift is all thanks to the liberal attitude of the next wave of citizens in Dubai, combined with the forward-thinking nature of the administration. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has been set up to oversee and closely regulate this new fledgling industry, all with the aim of ensuring that players are treated fairly and that poker casinos operate with 100% transparency and accountability.
You only have to take a quick look at Dubai's no.1 guide to casinos on the web to see how this pivot to a regulated industry, from a prohibited one, has seen an explosion in new entries to the markets. A combination of established international names and high-energy local entrepreneurs are looking to secure online poker market share so that they can enjoy a first-mover advantage. But does this extend to the rest of the UAE? Or is this a trend that is unique to Dubai? Let’s take a closer look by answering the question that is sure to be on your mind right now.
Is online poker legal in the UAE?
Yes, online poker is 100% legal to play by anyone in the UAE at the time of writing. Just what you want to hear when you’re looking to enjoy a new pastime that will allow you to perfect complex strategies and challenge yourself against players of a wide range of abilities. In fact, many of the leading in-person poker stars around the world got their start by playing online as the games are so much more balanced and accessible. Ideal when you want to be able to build your skills at a pace that feels comfortable and sustainable.
While these are certainly exciting times for the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, does it only extend to online play? Poker is a game that is known to create unbelievable tension when played in person at a physical table, allowing players to look into the eyes of their opponents. The GCGRA knows this better than anyone, that’s why they have already made great strides to open up the UAE to physical casinos.
A new future for poker in the UAE
The incredible plans for Wynn Al Marjan Island, located in Ras Al Khaimah, are already well underway with the plan to bring in-person poker to the region as soon as 2027. Good news for those who want to visit the region and make a beeline for the table so that they can play in a truly unique setting.
Wynn Resorts, led by CEO Craig Billings, is the first operator to obtain a poker license to operate a casino in the UAE and have secured themselves a major advantage. Rather than using the opportunity to simply open a casino, they are investing billions in a major real estate and hotel project designed to be one of the jewels in the crown. The idea is to create a go-to destination for business professionals, tourists, and high-stakes players from around the world. By combining luxury surroundings with a liberal approach to well-regulated play on the poker table, all signs are that they will achieve exactly that.
Final thoughts
Online poker is now legal for anyone to play in Dubai and the wider UAE. Everything is backed and regulated by the GCGRA who oversee the transparency and accountability of this new industry. The result is a level of online gameplay that is highly attractive to players of all abilities who want to test themselves against the odds. Add in the fact that the GCGRA is awarding the first licenses for physical poker table operators and you can start to see what the future of the region can be. An exciting development that we look forward to reporting on many times in the years to come.
