There was a time when few destinations and countries were interested in exploring the concept of online casino gaming. However, it’s worth noting that the online casino gaming landscape has undergone significant changes within the last two decades.
In the early stages of this century, many destinations that offered casino gaming had to do so through conventional channels. Therefore, there was a much smaller scope of providers and locations where people could play.
Simply put, the market didn’t exist to the extent it does today. Online platforms were a much smaller part of the industry; they required a significant investment to set up, and mass adoption hadn’t yet occurred due to the initial aversion of many people to the emergence of online casinos, and the need to enter their personal and financial information online.
A shift in cultural ideas
It’s fair to say that the idea of casinos setting up in the Middle East was something unheard of before the rise of online gambling. As part of the cultural identity of the region, there’s a strong conviction against gambling, or any attempts to legislate it in the same manner that we’ve seen across Western countries such as the UK and the US.
Several countries within the region have warmed to the idea, albeit to varying degrees, and this has resulted in expert review sites, such as ArabCasinoGuide, being able to signpost those looking to find the highest-rated and most reliable casino gaming platforms that have launched in their jurisdiction.
It has been as much a technological change as it has been a societal one. The transformation of countries such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been phenomenal over the last 20 years.
They’ve gone from relatively small countries in the global context of sport to being world leaders in tourism and a range of sports, as well as having the ability to invest colossal sums of money. As these countries open their doors to the world, it is their industries that have expanded exponentially over the same period that also earmarked the region as one with tremendous potential growth.
How the UAE is adapting to a global market
Even until a few years ago, the concept of a casino launching in the UAE would not have been something many people would have envisaged. On its own, Dubai has become a global powerhouse for tourism; it is a modern-day metropolis that features the world’s tallest building, which has become a centrepiece for locals, and it champions local artwork.
All of this has helped to make the country more attractive to tourism, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi leading the way. Some argue that the country does not need to open its doors to casino gaming, whether it be online or land-based operators.
However, one of the world’s biggest casino companies has recently been granted a license to open a new luxury casino resort in 2027, and the general consensus seems to be that this could open the floodgates to a raft of new casino gaming companies looking to set up in the UAE.
Accessing online casinos in the UAE
At the time of writing, accessing online casinos in the UAE is forbidden. It doesn’t matter if the casino is registered abroad or if it registers and only offers services to people within the UAE; neither option is permitted.
However, as we have just touched on, the UAE is adapting to more Western trends. The incredible growth in the iGaming world, particularly in the USA since 2022, has resulted in a shift for several nations seeking alternative ways to maximise their tax base through their citizens and tourism.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) was formed in 2023, and its presence has prompted online casinos to include the UAE on their list of countries that may switch their allegiances to offer casino gaming services. They regulate the Duty Free services as well as the UAE Lottery.
Although, at the time of writing, a land-based casino license has been granted, we are yet to see the GCGRA license an online casino in the UAE. However, given the speed and rate at which this global industry is evolving, don’t be surprised to see a significant change in this regard in the not-too-distant future.
Policing online casinos in the United Arab Emirates
One of the many factors that legislators need to consider, which ultimately led to multiple US states eventually legalising online casino gaming, is that it’s so difficult to police. While the UAE will enforce harsh penalties, including prison sentences for those who aim to launch an online casino in the UAE market or for those who seeking to access gambling services, the presence of a conventional casino will muddy these waters from a regulatory perspective.
The sheer amount of money available to countries or jurisdictions that can effectively legislate online gambling is in the billions of dollars, and the UAE is no exception.
So, while the idea of online casino gaming in the US being a long way off became a reality a decade ago, it’s a dynamic that has shifted significantly. As the UAE opens its doors to conventional casino gaming and sets up a licensing body to effectively legislate it, it feels as though online casinos could be next in line to get the nod.
We must emphasise that this is speculative, and you should always check the current legislative environment before considering accessing an online casino.
Conclusion
Many countries and jurisdictions would have likely stayed away from legislating online casino gaming if it weren’t for the rise and accessibility of the internet. As the black market in the US grew for online gambling, it meant that governing bodies were missing out on a tax base that was in the billions of dollars, and it was becoming increasingly complex to keep a lid on it.
Although the cultural differences in the UAE mean that this isn’t exactly the same scenario, a changing digital world means that legislators sometimes have their hand forced in creating an environment that is controlled and legislated – one that they can tax and benefit from.
In the US, California and Texas are two huge states that can afford to delay legalising gambling, because they have other major, multibillion-dollar industries. While this is true of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both regions want to become global players in entertainment and tourism.
In 2025, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to do this without legislating the likes of casino gaming. It’ll be interesting to see how this landscape alters between now and the end of this decade.
