All you need to know about casinos when traveling to the United Arab Emirates
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You might be wondering where you stand if you're a gambler planning on booking a staycation to one of the luxurious UAE tourist destinations. One might assume that a place as flashy as the United Arab Emirates would be ripe with opportunity, but this is not the case.
You may be dismayed to learn that the actual atmosphere has nothing in common with the glamorous casinos of Las Vegas. Gambling is not just taboo but illegal in the United Arab Emirates. Even if there might not be many options, tourists and foreign residents can nonetheless fulfill their hunger without breaking the law.
In order to help you understand the legalities and what you can and cannot do in the United Arab Emirates before becoming overly enthusiastic about your vacation, we decided to take a deeper look at what is legal in the country and how you can still enjoy casino games and betting despite the stringent rules.
Safest betting sites to bet from the UAE
Online betting with international bookmakers is an alternative for tourists and expats, but there are certain things to keep in mind before making a deposit. People from all around the world, at least inside their own countries, are free to gamble on a match or other event taking place in the United Arab Emirates.
While it's possible to find an online bookie or casino that accepts customers from your nation, it's best to stick with a site that's based in your own country, or as near as possible to it. In addition, you should know that not all online sites allow players from the United Arab Emirates. As luck would have it, though, there are a number of reputable online casino websites that allow customers to place bets online from UAE without a worry as of their trustworthiness. The best offshore internet gambling sites are not subject to the same stringent regulations, so gamblers may still place bets online from the UAE despite the ban.
Overview of the origins of gambling in the United Arab Emirates
There is a longer tradition of internet gambling in the UAE than we initially realized. Arabs have a long-standing tradition of amusement and gaming that predates the advent of modern casinos. Camel racing is a popular spectator sport in the Emirates. At the first, racing didn't garner much attention, but as the years passed, it grew into a major spectator sport. Initially, Sheik Zayed funded auto racing in the 1970s, and later, in the 1990s, he built purpose-built racing courses. Other than camel racing, horse racing has emerged as a popular sport in recent years, drawing fans from across the world.
Before a legislative reform in 1998, there were also gaming parlors in several posh hotels. However, while some casinos are operating lawfully in the Emirates, anti-gambling laws remain in effect across the country. Casino cruises emerged after most casinos were outlawed and remain a popular tourist destination in the Emirates to this day.
The decision regarding gambling laws in 2012 just added more difficulty for the gamers. It resulted in harsher laws against gambling online than previously existed. In 2017, authorities barred access to 12 different online gambling sites and outlawed a wide variety of Internet-based instruments. The number of online casinos available to players is dwindling, but the overseas operators we've listed below still accept players from the United Arab Emirates.
So why is it against the law to gamble in this country
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a firm position against gambling, as seen by the country's prohibition on lotteries and other kinds of gambling. If you aren't a local and aren't used to the way people here do things, you can get lost.
Religions typically restrict gambling since it is considered a sin. Although the ban may appear harsh to those who disagree, it is important to always respect the laws and customs of the host country.
This ban was instituted because of a commitment to the moral ideals that guide society. The prohibitions on gambling stem entirely from the idea that one should make a living via honest methods as opposed to gambling. For instance, the law may view jackpot winning as dishonest because of the belief that people should be compensated for their efforts rather than their luck.
All forms of gambling, from small-scale raffles to large-scale casinos, are therefore prohibited across the country. They are all off-limits.
Taxations and winnings when gambling in the UAE
It is very prohibited to gamble online in the UAE. Players who have gained unauthorized access to online gambling sites and have won a cash award may or may not be required to report the income they have received as part of their tax obligations. Since gambling is against the law, filing tax returns to report gambling winnings might land you in jail. However, you may face harsh penalties and fines, if you are found in possession of undisclosed gains. Read the terms and conditions always before online gambling.
Final thoughts
To sum up, the Emirates have a "restricted" attitude toward internet gambling, and locals are denied the opportunity to participate in a legal setting. But as we pointed out, they do have a few legitimate land-based casinos at their disposal.
