UAE Online Roulette Guide 2024 – Are There Legal Roulette Sites?
Islamic tradition defines important aspects of social life in the United Arab Emirates. Both Emirati and foreign nationals must abide by strict rules. Games of chance have a bad reputation in the Muslim world and the UAE makes no exceptions. Traditional casino games cannot be played in land-based casinos. Furthermore, online casinos are also banned. As such, you cannot play roulette online legally in the UAE. Read on to find out important facts about online roulette sites in the Emirates.
On this page, you’ll find detailed information about whether you can access any roulette sites from the United Arab Emirates. We will also discuss the most popular online roulette game variants and whether they can be played in the country. Also, we describe the legal framework and the statute of gambling in the country. Whether you are permanently based in the UAE or planning a visit, check the paragraphs below for valuable information you need to be familiar with before engaging in gaming activities.
Can You Play Roulette Online from the United Arab Emirates?
We regret to inform you that gambling in the United Arab Emirates is strictly forbidden for religious reasons. Thus, unfortunately, players from this country will not have the chance to access any online casino or roulette sites. Most Internet Service Providers (ISP) block the access to offshore gambling sites that accept players from the country.
Technically speaking, however, citizens may still be able to sign up and play at a limited number of online casinos. Nevertheless, we advise you that such actions may lead to legal complications and we strongly discourage you from accessing any roulette casino sites from the UAE until the situation changes.
Gamble Responsibly
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Set spending limits and stick to them.
- Avoid gambling when emotional or under the influence.
- Only bet on familiar gambling games after you learn their rules.
- Contact problem gambling organizations if concerned about gambling habits.
Top Online Roulette Game Variants in the UAE
Roulette is a classic casino game that is widely available, both in land-based casinos worldwide and in online gaming sites. It is preferred by many for its low house edge and high probability bets with good return rate. There are three classic roulette variations playable in brick and mortar venues – French, European and American roulette. They all have online equivalents that could be found in numerous gaming sites.
In online gaming, there’s another separation based on the way the outcome of the game is generated. In software driven versions the winning number in the roulette spin is determined by a random number generator. There are also live dealer games that use live camera stream to display an actual table with real roulette wheel operated by a professional croupier. As we have already mentioned, however, online roulette games are currently inaccessible to players from the UAE.
Can You Play Roulette on the Go?
The ubiquity of smartphones in the modern era has made a significant change in the way services are made available to users. We have 24/7 connectivity via our phones and tablets, and we no longer need to sit on a desk to browse the internet. Nowadays most online services are accessible via mobile apps, or in mobile browsers. Casino sites are keeping in pace, and the reputable operators make sure their games are playable on phones and tablets.
The two common ways to play roulette on the go are via native Android or iOS app, or in a responsive web app that adapts to smaller screens. Even though most roulette online casinos nowadays are mobile-friendly, their desktop and mobile versions are forbidden for players from the UAE at the time of writing. Still, we will let you know if the situation changes in the near future.
Important Facts About Gambling in the Emirates
The UAE represents a federation of seven emirates, and each of them is essentially an absolute monarchy where their heirs succeed rulers. The highest governing body is the Federal Supreme Council. It includes all seven emirs who elect one of them to preside over the council and essentially serve as head of the state. The country has approximately 9.5 million residents, of which less than 20% are Emirati. The rest are expatriates from over 100 nationalities.
The largest and most populous emirates are Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a huge transport hub and the financial centre of global importance. Rapid development in the past couple of decades turned the area from a desert to a flourishing business and trade centre and naturally attracted multiple migrants. Nowadays the UAE has the largest immigrant population percentage wise. Despite the ethnic diversity, the country has strict rules that apply to all residents, regardless of their nationality.
The Emirates are governed both by federal laws that apply to the entire nation, and state laws enacted and valid in a given emirate. Roman and Western European law influence the judicial system, as does traditional Islamic law, of course. For instance, in Dubai visitors and permanent residents of foreign origin are required to respect the Sharia law. Contrary to the expectation arising from a large number of tourist visits, gambling is not an acceptable form of entertainment. It is forbidden without exceptions, and even international cruise liners must discontinue all gaming activity while docked.
- Casino Licensing and Safety
- Gambling Locations in the UAE
- Famous Emirati Players
- Conclusion: Final Overview
Casino Licensing and Safety
As mentioned, the Sharia law applies in the Emirates to a given extent. A large number of expatriates hasn’t influenced the negative attitude to gambling that’s deeply rooted in Muslim culture. Games of chance are forbidden nation-wide, and gaming establishments cannot operate legally, either in land-based locations nor online. The ban on gambling is set mainly by the country’s Criminal Code and the Federal Decree on Combating Cybercrimes.
Since casino businesses cannot exist legally under the current framework, there are no licensing regime and industry-specific regulatory bodies. The country has not set any regulation for the protection of players simply because people are not supposed to be playing. Therefore, to those who choose to play roulette online in the UAE, it is important to pick online roulette sites that are licensed in one or more foreign jurisdictions where gaming is legal. This way you’d know that your online casino is abiding by rules in a country which has experience and know-how in regulating gambling businesses.
Apart from a valid licence, another positive indication of a legit casino site is certification by an independent testing agency. Most countries that allow legal gambling require online casino games to be tested for true randomness and technical integrity before the casino operator could apply for a licence. Here are some of the internationally acclaimed licensing authorities and game testing labs.
- MGA The Maltese Gaming Authority issues online casino licences under rigorous requirements. Maltese licences are recognised in multiple jurisdictions in the European Union and are a clear indication that licence holders are legit.
- HM Government of Gibraltar Many gambling businesses choose to register under the laws of Gibraltar because the licences issued by the local authority are valid internationally. However, permits are difficult to obtain, and applicants are heavily scrutinised before receiving an operating licence.
- UKGA logo The UK Gambling Commission is famous for being one of the strictest regulators. Although their licences are valid only in Great Britain, whoever has such a licence is recognised as a legit operator due to the stringent requirements set to buy the UK licensing regime.
- eCogra eCOGRA is a testing lab acclaimed and trusted by multiple online casino operators and licensing authorities worldwide. Their “Safe and Fair” seal is an indication that online games are random and unbiased.
- GLI Gaming Labs International is another independent testing agency that certifies online casino games for true randomness. Casino licensing authorities accept Their certificates in multiple jurisdictions.
Gambling Locations in the UAE
As we mentioned previously, brick-and-mortar gaming establishments are forbidden in the Emirates. Despite the popularity of the state as a tourist and business destination, and the extremely high percentage of expatriates living in the country, there are no casino establishments where you could play legally. Horse racing is very popular, and the country hosts the Dubai World Cup at the famous Meydan racecourse. Nevertheless, betting at the venue is not allowed. Penalties are severe and attempt to circumvent the law are not advisable.
The nearest land-based casinos are in Egypt and Lebanon. Of course, travelling abroad may not always be a suitable option. That’s why the most convenient way to play an online roulette game is to open an account at a roulette casino online that accepts players from the UAE. Legit casinos publish a list of eligible or restricted countries in their terms of use, making it easy for the players to check if they would be accepted.
Famous Emirati Players
Due to their cultural heritage and a strict ban on games of chance, Emiratis are not famous for being a nation of gamblers. Since the law applies equally to expatriates, it’s hard to find detailed info on famous gamblers that are either Emirati or permanent residents of the country. To our surprise, The Hendon Mob has listed more than 50 poker players from the UAE. However, their achievements and ranking are not too impressive.
The first two on the country’s all-time money list have achieved $207 000 and $192 000 in winnings, which is quite low compared to the global top 100, where the earnings are in the seven and eight-figure range. Since it’s not possible to host poker tournaments in the UAE, all winnings accomplishments of Emirati players were done abroad. How they practice in their country of origin is an interesting question though. Supposedly, the most likely answers to that are either online gaming or residence abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our guide to playing roulette online in the United Arab Emirates has come to an end. To complete this guide, we have collated the most common questions about online roulette sites in the UAE. Below, you will find popular questions which have been answered by our team of online gambling experts.
Conclusion: All Online Roulette Sites Are Strictly Forbidden in the UAE
The statute of gambling in the Emirates doesn’t leave many options to those who want to play roulette online in the UAE. In other parts of the world, online casinos are a great alternative to land-based venues, with many obvious advantages. However, the strict gambling laws in the United Arab Emirates restrict players from gambling online.
Most ISPs block the access to some of the most popular international roulette sites. Even if local players manage to sign up to a certain online roulette casino, they risk facing legal charges, which is why we strongly recommend you to restrain from such activities.