Casinos in UAE: 2026 guide
The UAE historically banned gambling entirely under Islamic rules but has made a historic turn: a federal regulator has been created — the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which will license land-based casinos, lotteries and, in due course, certain gaming formats. The first integrated casino resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, is being built in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and is expected to open around 2027. Until the legal infrastructure launches, there are no online or land-based casinos in the country, and taking part in illegal gambling is prohibited. The currency is the UAE dirham; bank cards and transfers are used. This material is informational: users should note that the legal market is only just forming and the first casino is still under construction.
Land-based casinos — UAE
FAQ: casinos and laws — UAE
Are online casinos legal in UAE?
Online play is not permitted in UAE, so the atlas runs in reference mode here: we publish no links to gaming sites and do not encourage play. The current rules are broken down in the "Regulation" block at the top of the page.
How many casinos are available to players from UAE?
Our atlas lists 0 online casinos relevant to this jurisdiction, plus 1 land-based casinos. Every review shows when it was last edited.
What criteria are the casinos selected by?
We weigh the licence and how well it's recognised in the jurisdiction, the brand's real availability to the country's players, payout speed, local payment methods and the operator's reputation.