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It may come as a surprise that sports betting is illegal in the UAE, especially with Dubai hosting the prestigious horse race, the Dubai World Cup and other sports events. However, the government is working on changing the legal framework, making wagering on sports online a reality in the upcoming years. In the meantime, you can visit offshore bookies incognito with the help of a VPN.
Our vetting process encompasses the scope of betting markets, type of available bonuses, banking methods, and mobile compatibility to highlight just a few ranking criteria. Read on to find out more about the best sports betting sites in the UAE for 2025 and how to bet online.
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| ⚖️Legal Status | Sports betting is illegal in the UAE. |
|---|---|
| 🔞Age Restrictions | 18+ |
| 💱Official Currency | Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) |
| 🏛️Designated Authority | General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) |
| 📊Popular Betting Markets | Football, horse racing, golf and tennis. |
| 💰Taxation | No taxation on players’ offshore winnings. |
| 🏪Betting Shops | Betting shops are not allowed. |
| 🌍Foreign Operators | Foreign operators cannot legally offer their services in the UAE but still accept players from the UAE. |
| 💻Online Betting | Online betting is not legal. |
| 🆘 Gambling Addiction Resources | Help is provided through the GCGRA’s responsible gaming program. |
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in UAE?
Sports betting is illegal in the UAE. The government is moving towards legalization by establishing the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. Betting at offshore bookmakers is practiced, but discouraged by the authorities.
| Key Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| 📜Regulating Law | Several federal laws regulate the gambling industry such as Cabinet Resolution No. (24) of 2022. |
| 📑Licensing and Operators | No sports betting licenses have been issued in the UAE. |
| 💰Taxation | No taxation on illegal gambling activities. |
| ⚠️Penalties for Violations | Imprisonment of up to two years imprisonment or fines up to AED 500,000. |
There is a huge amount of online sports betting sites, but not every one of them is equally efficient, secure, and credible, as there are fraudulent sites circling around. Therefore, finding services with good security and characteristics is of utmost importance when looking for good betting sites in the UAE.
Among the most important points of good services that we should look at are the following:
The offshore market is predominantly populated by legitimate bookmakers, but shady sportsbooks attempt to lure naive bettors. The best way to avoid this trap is to pick betting sites holding a license. You can find the licensing number on the operator’s website. Gravitate towards sportsbooks certified by the MGA, UKGC, and gambling commissions from Curacao and Gibraltar. Check to see how long the bookie has been in business and if any scandals are associated with that brand.
Online betting sites that accept Emirati players, unfortunately, do not accept the local currency of the UAE, so their currency is converted from the dirham to one of the currencies accepted on the site such as the dollar or the euro before the player starts betting with real money. You need to find favorable exchange rates or bookies that accept a currency you prefer. The cashier needs to incorporate a diverse range of digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, and prepaid vouchers. The best betting sites process withdrawals within a day and offer high payout limits.
All betting sites offer odds on popular leagues. The availability of niche sports and less-popular professional competition determines the true value of sportsbooks. Access to over 30 sports is a good benchmark for quality. Examine the betting markets, and focus on sportsbooks with in-play, totals, parlay, and proposition wagers.
Another crucial consideration is the competitiveness of the betting lines. Cross-reference the offered odds for specific markets with what other bookmakers provide to see if you are getting the most profitable betting lines.
There are many safe and reliable online sports betting sites in the UAE that offer bonuses and loyalty benefits. You want to find a bookmaker with a large welcome bonus, augmented by a regular supply of free bets or reload bonuses. A good boost is not burdened by cumbersome wagering requirements. Dedicated loyalty programs are another source of promotions.
Find sports betting sites in the UAE that provide customer service at the highest level of experience and courteousness. The best service offers Arabic language support 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The pillars of the help center need to be a live chat feature, a dedicated support email and an FAQ page.
Sports betting can be a fast-paced activity, and mobile betting is the best option for convenience and quickly reacting to shifting odds. The best method for mobile betting is access to a native betting app for iOS and Android smartphones. Evaluation criteria for identifying the best apps are fast load speeds, intuitive layout, and availability of regular updates. If an app is not available, make sure the in-browser experience is reliable.
Inevitably, you will need to register and create an account with a bookmaker in the UAE to place bets. Because of the legal restrictions, a VPN service is necessary to bypass the censorship of foreign-based bookmakers. When you have chosen the preferred sports betting site in the UAE, follow the next steps:
The registration process starts by clicking on the “Register” or “Sign up” button, and filling in the necessary information. Input your full name, phone number, email address and residential address. Tailor an authentic username and password. Once you have read the full terms and conditions, click on confirm to complete the registration.
Navigate to the banking page or take the shortcut via the ‘Deposit’ button in the header. Choose the preferred payment method from the list of accepted banking providers. Type the amount you desire to deposit and verify the transaction. The money will appear on your account balance in minutes. When you want to withdraw money, perform the depositing sequence in reverse. Choose the withdrawal option, select a banking provider, enter the payout amount, and submit the request.
Once you have deposited funds into your account, you will be able to reap your welcome bonus. These often have certain terms and conditions so be sure to read them before claiming the bonuses. Sometimes the requirements are hard to achieve and you may not benefit from those bonuses at all.
Navigate to the sports menu and pick a betting market. Add the selected wager to the betting ticket and enter the stake for that wager. Submit the betting slip and await the results. If your bet wins, the funds will be automatically credited to your account balance.
Sports betting sites are interested in covering a large number of sports. Whatever sport you prefer, you will find it available on betting sites in the United Arab Emirates. Let’s take a quick look at the most important types of sports you can bet on:
The types of markets, league offers, matches, and games of bookmakers in the UAE are another very important factor that decides which bookmaker to register in and pay your money. The purpose of a huge number of markets is to give you as much freedom as possible when it comes to placing bets.
The best bookmakers also have the largest number of markets available that they can provide for a sport individually. The most popular types of bets in the UAE are:
A straightforward bet where you pick the team or individual you think will win a particular event or match. It is one of the most common types of bets.
A bet focused on the number of goals scored in a match, it can pertain to total goals scored, or goals scored by a specific team.
A bet where you predict the exact final score of a match, offering high odds due to its difficulty.
A bet that gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage, leveling the playing field and altering the odds.
A bet predicting the halftime and final match outcomes, offering higher payouts but being more challenging than single bets.
Emirates betting sites are very generous. They offer many different types of bonuses and promotions for new and existing players alike. You can earn real money by betting with bonus money and ask the site to withdraw it. Among the most popular bonuses on the Emirates online betting site are:
A bonus provided to new bettors when they first register with a betting site. Typically includes free bets or a matched bet based on their first deposit.
A bonus awarded to new bettors without any initial deposit requirement. This can be in the form of a free bet or bonus credit for betting.
A bonus that offers a certain number of free bets based on various criteria like deposit amount, betting patterns, or promotional offers.
A bonus that returns a percentage of a bettor's losses over a specified timeframe. This helps mitigate some of the risks associated with losing bets.
What Is the Best Payment Option for Emirati Players?
Most bettors view e-wallets such as MuchBetter and Skrill as the safest way to deposit and withdraw funds. Although cryptocurrencies are also rising in popularity.
Getting money from a sports betting site in the UAE is not as simple as it used to be. As gambling is still illegal in the Emirates, some sports betting sites will not allow certain banking methods, most often bank transfers and credit cards.
However, the news is not all bad, as there are many ways you can make deposits and withdrawals through your online sports betting account in the UAE. Below you will find a list of the most popular ones available in the largest number of online bookmakers.
Since the UAE maintains a prohibition on gambling, any mention of responsible gambling may primarily revolve around regulation, prevention, and treatment of behavioral issues rather than licensed gambling services.
In general, all forms of gambling are illegal in the UAE. Bearing that in mind, players can access foreign betting sites and try their luck over there. The use of a VPN is highly recommended.
All gambling houses that are licensed and certified by legal gambling authorities are safe to use. The only problem is that betting and gambling are illegal in the country therefore all forms of precaution must be taken.
Sports betting can be safe in the UAE when done with the help of a VPN and at legal and licensed sports betting sites.
As gambling is illegal, the state will not impose any limits whatsoever. On the other hand, bookmakers and/or banking services may set deposit limits on their behalf. Always read terms and conditions before joining a betting service.
One of the positive sides of gambling illegality is that players don’t have to (or rather must not) pay taxes and report winnings, as the gambling is being done in secrecy.
Processing times vary among the bookmakers and the banking methods. It can go from several minutes to several days. Bookmakers usually transfer the winnings to the account almost instantly when the betting slip is successfully predicted.
There is no best sports betting site as all of them offer different features and bettors’ needs differ as well. What’s important is that the betting house in question is licensed, and therefore safe to bet at. Other qualities include a good selection of sports, markets, good odds, low margins, good bonuses, etc.
As there are many foreign betting sites at their disposal, Emirati bettors can choose various sports to bet on, such as football, basketball, tennis, handball, motorsports, horse races, eSports, etc.
Football is the most popular sport to bet on in the UAE, followed by horse races and basketball.
The bookmaker will set the odds based on probabilities and such odds are usually presented in decimal numbers. All odds on one slip are multiplied, and the amount invested is multiplied by the total odds to generate the winnings.
Some sports betting sites offer free bets as part of bonuses and promotions.
To receive any bonuses, including the welcome bonus, a player must register or create an account. After making a betting account, the bookmaker will award the player with a certain bonus.
As gambling is illegal in the UAE, there are no big centers for people who are experiencing gambling addiction. Instead, visiting a local psychiatrist and asking for help is always recommended.
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