Online gambling regulation in United Arab Emirates

Prohibited. Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumors and Cybercrimes prohibits online promotion of unauthorized gambling activities.

Promoting online gambling activities that are not authorized constitutes a criminal cybercrime offence; penalties include imprisonment and fines.

General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) — www.gcgra.gov.ae/en

Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumors and Cybercrimes (online gambling promotion)

Online casino: Licensed. Online sports betting: Licensed.

The regulator publishes a register of licensed operators. GCGRA maintains an online public register of licensed commercial gaming operators.

https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/licensees

• ISP and domain blocking via TDRA for unlicensed gambling sites
• Payment blocking or refusal for unlicensed operators
• Criminal penalties for illegal online gambling promotion under Cybercrime law
• Criminal offence for unlicensed commercial gaming and player participation

• Advertising must only promote GCGRA-licensed commercial gaming activities
• Marketing cannot target minors or vulnerable persons; responsible-gaming messaging required
• Promotions must comply with GCGRA rules on limits, cooling-off periods and fair terms
• Cross-border ads must not encourage play with unlicensed or offshore operators

• Establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority as sole federal commercial gaming regulator (September 2023).
• Publication of detailed federal rules for casino, internet gaming and sports wagering licences from 2024 onwards.
• Grant of first internet gaming and sports wagering licences to Coin Technology Projects LLC by early 2026.

• Specific section numbers of the Cybercrime law article on gambling promotion online are not fully confirmed.
• Exact statutory provisions governing advertising standards for licensed gaming operators are not publicly quoted in available sources.
• Whether the GCGRA has issued a specific public rule for loot boxes/mystery boxes.
• Whether sweepstakes/social casinos are expressly permitted, restricted, or banned in the UAE.
• Whether UAE prediction markets are treated as gambling products or financial derivatives under a specific public rule.
• Whether there are nationality, residency, or age restrictions beyond general GCGRA licensing conditions.

1. thegamblingjournal.com/insights/regulatory-explainers/gambling-laws-in-the-uae-a-complete-guide/
2. alestiklal.net/en/article/after-casinos-and-gambling-halls-why-did-the-uae-legalize-betting
3. uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1526/download
4. uaeexperthub.com/is-gambling-legal-uae/
5. indexuae.com/uae/
6. natlawreview.com/article/new-market-old-rules-united-arab-emirates-opens-doors-gambling-industry-regulations
7. globallawexperts.com/gcgra-gaming-license-uae-requirements-process-and-what-the-june-2026-civil-code-changes-mean-for-operators/
8. sol-intl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Game-Changer-Reform-in-Gaming-and-Gambling-Laws-in-the-UAE-and-the-GCC.pdf
9. somuchpoker.com/poker-guides/asia/united-arab-emirates
10. agu.ae/poker-in-uae/
11. gamblingmaps.org/map/regulations/united-arab-emirates
12. highstakesdb.com/news/online-poker-news/is-online-poker-legal-in-dubai
13. pokerlaws.org/asia/united-arab-emirates/
14. 3garaat.com/guides/uae-gambling-laws/
15. nourattorneys.com/articles/uae-loot-box-game-purchase-regulations
16. nourattorneys.com/articles/uae-loot-box-gacha-regulations
17. practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/tmt-2026/uae/trends-and-developments
18. practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/comparison/1077/18179/28773-28774-28775-28776-28777-28778-28779-28780-28781-28782-28783

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.