You live in or visit the UAE
- Only GCGRA-licensed operators may offer gambling.
- Betting with unlicensed offshore sites can be a criminal offence.
Betting and the law in the United Arab Emirates
Gambling is a crime in the UAE under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties, unless it is commercial gaming licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), set up in September 2023.
The GCGRA has licensed a lottery, a resort casino and, in 2026, the first internet gaming and sports wagering operator. Anything without its approval remains prohibited.
Crimes and Penalties Law
GCGRA since 2023
Licensed operators only
By
Emily Thompson
Updated 6 Oct 2026
Short answer
Only with a GCGRA licence. Unlicensed gambling, including betting with offshore sites, is a crime under the UAE's Crimes and Penalties Law, with up to two years in prison or a fine of up to AED 50,000 for taking part.
Sources: Mondaq (Jan 2026), CMS, Khaleej Times.
- Unlicensed gambling Crime Articles 460–461
- Penalty for players Up to 2 years or AED 50,000
- Regulator GCGRA since September 2023
- Licensed sportsbook One first licensed in 2026
The law
How the UAE regulates gambling
Regulator
General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA)
Federal regulator for commercial gaming, lotteries and sports wagering.
- Criminal law
- Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, Articles 460–461
- Taking part in gambling
- Up to 2 years in prison or a fine up to AED 50,000
- Licensing
- Commercial gaming only with GCGRA approval
- Licensed so far
- Lottery (The Game LLC), resort casino (Wynn Al Marjan Island), internet gaming and sports wagering (Coin Technology Projects LLC)
Sources: Mondaq: UAE commercial gaming law, GCGRA licences (Jan 2026) · CMS: The introduction of the Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority in the UAE · Khaleej Times: first licensed sports wagering and iGaming website launches
What it means
What the law means in practice
You work in the UAE and return to Bangladesh
- UAE law applies while you are there.
- Bangladeshi law, including the Gambling Prevention Act 2026, applies when you are home.
Bookmakers in our ranking for the UAE
Only GCGRA-licensed operators may offer gambling in the UAE. This list is our general bookmaker ranking, shown for reference; these sites are not licensed in the UAE.
Bonus
144,000 BDT
Airtel Money
AniPay
Astropay
Bank Transfer
Betwinner review
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
Bonus
AED 2,000
Astropay
jeton
MasterCard
MoneyGO
GoldPari review
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
Bonus
210,000 BDT
25x
Abaqoos
Airtel Money
Alfa Bank
Alfa Click
1xBet review
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
Implications
The law in short
-
Licence or crime
What it means: there is no grey zone: unlicensed gambling is prohibited.
-
Few licences so far
What it means: most betting sites seen online are not licensed in the UAE.
FAQ
Is online betting legal in the UAE?
Only with an operator licensed by the GCGRA. Unlicensed gambling is a crime under Articles 460 and 461 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021.
What is the penalty for gambling in the UAE?
Taking part in gambling can bring up to two years in prison or a fine of up to AED 50,000.
What is the GCGRA?
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, set up in September 2023 to license and regulate commercial gaming and lotteries.
Is there a licensed sportsbook in the UAE?
Yes. In 2026 the GCGRA licensed Coin Technology Projects LLC for internet gaming and sports wagering, operating as Play971.