Will the Arab world be next to legalise gambling?
There is speculation about whether the Arab world will become more receptive to gambling and sports betting in the near future. There are many legal difficulties in place, but religious beliefs also present hurdles. The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and the announced plans to open a casino resort in one of the United Arab Emirates are factors in this.
Gambling is illegal under Islamic law, but Middle Easterners still find it attractive. Egypt has the most developed casino scene, with 14 land-based operations in Cairo. Dubai has no intention of allowing gambling. Ras Al Khaimah will allow gambling in the future. Wynn will build a multibillion-dollar integrated resort in UAE. The Wynnn agreement involved building a gaming facility. It is not the first time a large casino operator has tried to change the law by setting up shop in a region. MGM has announced a number of partnerships with Emirati businesses.
The 2022 World Cup will attract a lot of gambling. Gambling advertisements are outlawed in Qatar. Online gambling is legal in Saudi Arabia. Many Saudi players use offshore gambling sites. The government seems to focus on taking action against bookmakers. In Qatar, the situation is different. There is a large underground gambling industry in the country. The law may turn towards legalising sports betting in future.
Middle Eastern and North African gaming businesses are forecast to grow by 19%, to more than $5 billion by 2025. The number of gamers in the area is expected to hit 20 million. According to some figures, an estimated 60% of adult internet users in Saudi Arabia are interested in gaming. Saudi is quickly becoming an important gaming powerhouse in Gulf area. Major video game and hardware manufacturers have spent the past few years holding high-profile eSports competitions all around the globe to maximize local fan engagement.
Gambling is illegal in most of the Arab world. It is difficult to make a profit from it. The future may allow tourists to legally place bets on sports or casino tables.
