The United Arab Emirates has recently changed some of its rules about gaming, which has helped start projects to build the first casino in the country. Does Dubai have Casinos? Dubai does not have physical casino yet. Interestingly, the first casino resort in the UAE is not expected to open in Dubai or the capital, Abu Dhabi, but instead in Ras Al-Khaimah. The Wynn Al Marjan Island project in RAK as the upcoming casino in Dubai, costing Dh14 billion, is planned to open in 2027. It is expected to be larger than the original Wynn in Las Vegas, which is known as the biggest gaming area in the world. However, before the casino in Ras al Khaimah opens, similar to the casino season in Dubai in 2023, you can still play online casino games for gambling in the UAE at trusted public facilities within the United Arab Emirates. Let indubaimall tell us more information about Dubai casino in this blog.
Current Legal Status of Casinos and Gambling
Does Dubai have Casinos? It is important to know that Islam is the official religion of the country, as stated in the Constitution of the UAE. In Islam, gambling is not allowed, and this religious teaching is the reason why federal and local laws in the UAE ban all types of gambling and also stop the promotion of any kind of gaming activities. However, different local laws tell what is not allowed when it comes to gambling and ads about gambling. Some laws clearly say what can’t be done, while others talk about it in a more roundabout way.
Federal Laws
The law in the UAE is very clear about gambling. It is covered in the Federal Decree-Law on the Penal Code. The law clearly defines what counts as gambling. For example, if people agree that losers will pay set amounts to the winners, that is considered gambling. People who take part in gambling can face serious punishments. They might get locked up for at least two years. They might also be fined up to AED 50,000. If someone runs a gambling business, organizes events, or sets up games, the punishment can be much worse. They could end up in jail for up to 10 years and face fines of up to AED 100,000. For the most up-to-date information, it’s best to consult with a legal professional.
Online and Offline Gambling Restrictions
The United Arab Emirates has strict rules about gambling. The country has a law that completely bans gambling. There is no room for exceptions, not even for people or companies from other countries. The UAE’s legal system clearly prohibits gambling as per its regulations. The Federal Decree-Law on the penal code clearly outlines what counts as gambling and what the punishments are. If someone takes part in gambling in the UAE, they could face legal consequences. Even things like video games are not allowed in the country. The UAE’s laws are strong and cover all forms of gambling. This shows the country’s clear position against gambling and similar activities. Also, the UAE has made it illegal to gamble online. There are specific laws and penalties in place for this. The Cyber Crime Law gives details about online gambling. However, there are a few exceptions, but they are very limited and not widespread.
Penalties and Risks for Gamblers
Our legal review and tracking of cases show that Dubai takes penalties for gambling-related crimes very seriously. Here’s what people need to know about punishment for gambling in Dubai:
- If someone takes part in gambling, they could face up to two years in jail or a fine of up to 50,000 AED.
- If someone organizes or helps with gambling—whether in person or online—they might get up to 10 years in prison and a fine of more than 100,000 AED.
- If someone promotes or runs a gambling website, the UAE Cybercrime Law says they could be fined between 250,000 and 500,000 AED, and might also get jail time.
Dubai’s laws treat all types of gambling the same, whether it’s in physical locations or online.The enforcement is strict, with telecom companies blocking sites and monitoring online activities.
Legal Consequences
Does Dubai have Casinos? Gambling is against the law whether you play in a casino or with friends in Dubai. The Penal Code says that if someone breaks this law, he might face a big fine or even he will be locked up for up to two years. Residents and tourists should know that even if an online casino is based in another country or accessed while theyare using a VPN, it is still against the law in the UAE. According to our technical checks and telecom rules, using digital gambling services is seen as breaking the Cybercrime Law. The authorities have set up blocks at the internet service provider level and they are keeping a close watch to stop such activities. Also, since the UAE does not allow any local online gambling companies, people who use foreign gambling sites might face these issues:
- Money sent or received for gambling might be blocked or frozen.
- Any problems with overseas gamblers won’t be handled by UAE courts.
- Cash won or deposited could be flagged by banks following anti-money laundering rules.
Are there Casinos in Dubai?
The United Arab Emirates has recently eased its rules on gaming, which has accelerated efforts to create the country’s first casino. Therefore if you want to know ‘is there a casino in Dubai?’ , we should interestingly say that the first UAE casino resort is not expected to open in Dubai or the capital, Abu Dhabi, but rather in Ras Al-Khaimah. The Wynn Al Marjan Island, a project valued at Dhs14 billion, is set to open in 2027. It will be larger than the original Wynn in Las Vegas, the world’s most famous gaming destination. As this development could be a major shift for the UAE, it’s worth exploring the details of the project, what visitors can expect when it opens, its appearance, and the reasons behind choosing Ras Al-Khaimah as the location for the country’s first casino.
Therefore, is there casino in Dubai? Although there are plans for major Las Vegas brands such as MGM, Bellagio, and Aria as part of the The Island Dubai project, there has been no indication that casinos will open alongside them before the Wynn Al Marjan Island project is finished. The project is expected to include a casino covering around 18,500 square meters, making it one of the largest in the world. The beachfront casino resort in the UAE will have a towering structure that is 300 meters high, with construction expected to be completed by late 2025. The full resort is set to open to visitors in early 2027.
