Saudi Arabia Online Casinos: A Complete Guide
Are online casinos legal in Saudi Arabia? The straightforward answer is no. All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia. They include online gambling, retail gambling, and lotteries. The gambling laws that prohibit the activity in Saudi Arabia are rooted in the country’s cultural and Islamic religious values.
But even with such strict gambling laws, the high technology penetration, smartphones, and internet connectivity have made it easy for Saudi residents to gamble at top online casinos. With plenty of payment methods guaranteeing anonymity, playing at Saudi Arabia online casinos is easy. Our guide lists all the top online casinos Saudi Arabia offers, their top features and offers, and details the scope of gambling in the country.
The Best Saudi Arabia Online Casinos
Looking for the best online casinos in Saudi Arabia? We have developed a list of the top online casinos in the country with attractive bonuses, thrilling games, reliable customer service, and mobile compatibility. Read the reviews and see our ratings to find your next potential destination.
- Minimum $10 deposit
- 35x wagering requirement
- Multiple other deposit bonuses
- Minimum €20 deposit
- 30x wagering
- Minimum €20 deposit
- Available across 5 deposits
- Free spins spread across 10 days
- Welcome bonus: 200% up to $2000
- 35x wagering
- Valid for 30 days
Gambling Laws in Saudi Arabia
Gambling is strictly prohibited and classed as illegal in Saudi Arabia. The country is widely regarded as the source of Islam, making it one of the countries that root its laws in the Quran. Therefore, gambling as a concept is regarded as haram (forbidden) in the country. Islamic law, or Sharia, views gambling as an activity that promotes speculation, addiction, and financial exploitation, which goes against the principles of justice and ethical behaviour.
We have seen some countries prohibiting online gambling mainly due to the influx of offshore gambling platforms. These countries will then legalize retail gambling on their physical gambling facilities to maximize revenue collection. However, that is not the case in Saudi Arabia, as all forms of gambling are prohibited in the country.
As such, the country has no mandated regulatory and licensing body. Therefore, you’ll not find any legally operating physical gambling facility in the jurisdiction or sign up at any online casino in the country. Those who are found gambling in the country are liable for severe punishments. They may include:
- Fines: Offenders will part with a substantial price to pay as a fine to act as punishment and deterrence.
- Imprisonment: Depending on the nature of the offence, imprisonment is another form of punishment for offenders. Imprisonment might also involve flogging.
- Confiscating assets: The authorities might confiscate any assets, property, or money regarded as gambling proceeds.
- Deportation: Foreigners involved in gambling can face deportation as a punishment.
Physical Casinos
Saudi Arabia does not allow gambling in the country and has no land-based casino in its jurisdiction. Middle Eastern countries are known to be heavily conservative and strict on Sharia laws that prohibit gambling and consider it haram. Therefore, you will not find any land-based casino within the jurisdiction to walk into and wager games for cash prizes.
Online Casinos
All forms of gambling are illegal in Saudi Arabia, and that extends to online casinos. There are no licensed online casinos where you can join and play games for real money prizes. Those found wagering or running any online gambling activities in the state are liable to serve severe punishments, including fines and imprisonment.
However, Saudi residents can join and play safely at offshore online casinos. These platforms are licensed in other jurisdictions like Curacao and allow members from Saudi Arabia to join.
Future Changes
The future is not looking bright for gambling in Saudi Arabia. Not much change is expected as Saudi is a staunchly Muslim country that heavily relies on Sharia law. As seen, Sharia law strictly prohibits gambling and frowns upon all its activities as it is associated with uncertainty, greed, addiction, and financial exploitation. For this reason, we do not anticipate any changes in the near future.
However, there have been a few strides in opening up the Middle East country to the outside world. For example, the driving ban imposed on women was lifted, and women were allowed to attend stadium sports events. The country has attracted major sports personalities and invested heavily in football and boxing. These are some strides that would see gambling introduced, although in a very controlled manner. It is a matter of wait and see!
Casino Bonuses for Players in Saudi Arabia
It is straightforward to join the best online casinos in Saudi Arabia on our list and enjoy features such as casino bonuses. These bonuses are available for new and existing players and will majorly depend on deposits. These bonuses will have terms and conditions that you must adhere to. The important terms include the minimum deposit, maximum bonus amount, wagering requirements, game weightings, and bonus duration. Below is an overview of the different casino bonuses to expect at the Saudi Arabia online casinos:
Deposit Bonuses
These are bonuses dependent on deposits. Most bonuses will fall under this category. They include welcome bonuses for new players, reload bonuses, cashback deals, and daily, weekly, and weekend deals for existing members. The online casino will match the deposit to a set percentage to offer bonus cash with some attaching free spins.
For example, an online casino might offer a bonus of 150% up to $500, which is approximately 1875 SAR. At such a casino, if you deposit $200, which is approximately 750 SAR, you will receive a bonus of $300, approx 1125 SAR.
Free Spins
As mentioned, free spins are other bonuses to expect at top online casinos in Saudi Arabia. These bonuses will allow you to spin slots without spending funds. In most cases, these spins will be exclusive to all slots. However, some online casinos may specify the slots that are eligible to use the free spins. Claiming these free spins will mainly involve depositing funds to receive them as part of the deposit bonus or as a standalone bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses
A few Saudi Arabia online casinos offer no deposit bonuses. As the name suggests, these are free bonuses that will not require any deposit. You will usually activate them by entering the correct promo or bonus code. One drawback of these bonuses is that they are lower in value than deposit bonuses. Their value will generally range between $10 and $30.
How We Review Saudi Arabia Online Casinos
Slotsia is your ideal companion for operator reviews. All the casinos on our pages are tried and tested, and our team of experts provides in-depth and unbiased reviews of each site. We follow strict criteria and ensure our recommended sites offer the best deals. They include licensing and security, game portfolios, payment options, casino bonuses. Thus, all the best online casinos Saudi Arabia we provide on our list have checked our boxes in the following areas.
In addition, these platforms use the latest security features to protect player information. These features include SSL encryption technology, two-factor authentication (2FA), firewall systems, and blockchain technology for crypto gambling casinos.
At the same time, they should be available in different types, such as slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, dice, keno, scratch-offs, bingo, poker, and live dealer options. We ensure they are rich in bonus features, boast impressive visuals and graphics, offer diverse bet sizes, and have impressive payouts. We also ensure they feature a demo option so players can test out games before using their funds.
However, as you will notice, some popular e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill do not accept Saudi customers. For this reason, we look for online casinos that support other e-wallets like Mifinity, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, and Jeton. We also recommend online casinos that accept cryptocurrencies, with these offering unparalleled speed and security features.
You will claim them from the onset. Welcome bonuses await, where the first deposit(s) get matched to a percentage. In addition, these casinos have more bonuses like reload, cashback, free spins, weekly and weekend offers, loyalty/VIP programs, and tournaments for members to compete against each other for prizes.
The mobile experience should be hassle-free, with action on a well-designed lobby that features all products, features, and services. We ensure these sites allow you to sign up, claim bonuses, play games, transact, and contact support on your mobile. Even better, some of the top online casinos Saudi Arabia have a downloadable app for an enhanced experience.
In addition to availability, we ensure that the team is reachable through various mediums. These include live chat, email support, phone support, a contact form, and social media channels. Finally, the best platforms offer an FAQ page that answers the most frequently asked questions. The platform gets our green light if the FAQ page is detailed and comprehensive.
Popular Saudi Arabia Casino Games
The best online casinos in Saudia Arabia will offer diverse casino game portfolios to cater to each player’s preferences. We ensure that our selection of casinos features games of chance, luck, skill, and strategy so you can always have a selection of games to play. One of the main pointers of a casino with a diverse game collection is the number of software studios it partners with.
Typically, a casino with hundreds of studios offers more games than one with a few studios. We also recommend online casinos in Saudi Arabia that offer games with a demo option so players can familiarise themselves with the games without risking their funds.
As mentioned, these online casinos are licensed and ensure that the games are certified for fairness. We check for certification from reputable independent test bodies like iTech Labs and eCOGRA to ascertain this. Below are the popular casino games to expect at the best online casinos in Saudi Arabia:
Slot Games
Online slots are the most popular casino games mainly for their easy gameplay. You do not need to be an experienced player to play and win since the results are down to chance and luck. The top online casinos in Saudi Arabia will offer them as the majority, allowing you to interact with many slot types. They include classics, video slots, jackpots, megaways, 3D slots, etc. These slots will come in different themes, storylines, and gameplay mechanics like bet sizes, RTP, and volatility to ensure something for everyone.
Table & Card Games
Table & card are other popular games to expect at online casinos in Saudi Arabia. Unlike slots, these games will involve strategy and skills to improve payout chances. The popular ones are roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker variants. You can play them in the regular mode or play their live variants, where you compete against other players with live dealers conducting the sessions.
Video Poker Games
Video poker options are also popular in the best online casinos in Saudi Arabia. Like table and card games, they involve a strategy for potential success. You’ll find them in various variants, including Deuces Wild, Aces & Faces, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker, and Jacks or Better.
Specialty Games
The fun does not stop at slots, table & card, video poker, and live games. Some Saudi Arabia online casinos also offer specialty games. These games range from Keno, Bingo, Scratchcards, and Crash. Each option will have its own way of playing. For example, crash games involve a multiplier attached to an object that flies until it crashes. Your task is to cash out before the object crashes to receive rewards corresponding to the multiplier.
Saudi Arabia Online Casino Payments
By now, you know that Saudi Arabia prohibits all forms of gambling. This means that the directive extends to the local payment providers, limiting the options to transact funds in the state. With local payment methods out of the picture, the options to use are global payment methods. But here is another caveat: some options do not accept Saudi gambling customers as they block transactions to any gambling site. These options include PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.
So, how do you go about it? The first step while transacting in Saudi Arabia online casinos is to choose payment methods offering anonymity. These methods will not require personal and financial details, making them a perfect choice for playing in a state that heavily prohibits gambling. Below are the popular payment options to use in Saudi Arabia:
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are known to offer lightning-fast transactions with high-level security and low fees. They are globally accepted, and their decentralized nature makes them perfect to use in Saudi Arabia since they will not involve intermediaries like banks. Instead, the transactions are done through blockchain technology, ensuring anonymity, as no personal information is required. Popular cryptocurrencies in Saudi Arabia online casinos include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and USD Coin.
Digital Wallets
Digital wallets, or e-wallets, are other popular payment methods at our recommended online casinos in Saudi Arabia. Despite Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal missing in action, other e-wallets exist. They include Jeton, Mifinity, MuchBetter, and ecoPayz. These options act as intermediaries between your online casino and bank account. They might be an option to consider despite not being fully anonymous.
Traditional Methods
Traditional methods like bank transfers, cheques, and credit/debit cards are popular in online gambling and offered by the majority of casinos that we have suggested here. You will just have to consider the pros and cons, including the speed or fees, compared to alternatives.
Tips for Choosing Casinos in Saudi Arabia
Choosing Saudi Arabia online casinos can be a headache, especially with the strict policies and regulations prohibiting online gambling. But fear not as we have compiled the list of the best online casinos in Saudi Arabia. Here are the factors you should consider when choosing your next online casino:
Game Selection
Ensure that the casino you choose offers a diverse game portfolio sourced from reputable providers. The best online casinos will offer all popular game types, including slots, table & card games, poker, and live dealer games. It is a plus should the online casino offer additional game types like scratchcards, dice, keno, bingo, and other casual games.
Bonuses & Promotions
The top online casinos should appeal to players through bonuses and promotions. New and existing players should find deals to leverage to improve their bankroll. They include welcome bonuses, reload, cashback, free spins, game-specific, and other exclusive deals. The best online casinos will also offer VIP schemes that reward loyal and VIP players with benefits and perks like exclusive bonuses, account managers, special invites to VIP casino events, etc.
Customer Support
Nothing reassures gambling fans like responsive customer support, which is available 24/7. Ensure the online casino you settle for offers reliable customer service with professional and knowledgeable support agents to assist you on any issue. These agents should be reachable through multiple options, including phone support, live chat and email support.
A Closer Look at a Recommended Saudi Arabia Online Casino
Platin Casino is a top online casino in Saudi Arabia. It launched in 2013 and welcomes Saudi Arabian players to bet on sports and play casino games. We give it our thumbs up for its massive welcome bonus, extensive game portfolio, and friendly user interface.
Platin allows members to transact using cryptocurrencies and other options like Visa, MasterCard and PaySafeCard, so this is a site that offers both convenience and a memorable user experience; it is also fully licensed in Curacao.
18+ New Players Only. Minimum deposit: $20 (or currency equivalent). Welcome Bonus: 100% up to €500 plus 200 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Free spins are awarded over four consecutive days. Maximum bonus €500. 40x wagering. Bonuses are active for 7 days. Full terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.
Saudi Arabia Online Casinos Summary
The following points summarize gambling in Saudi Arabia:
- All forms of gambling are prohibited in Saudi Arabia
- Only foreign/offshore online casinos are available in Saudi Arabia
- Use payment methods that guarantee anonymity, such as cryptocurrency
While gambling is prohibited in the country, you can play at a reputable offshore online casino. This page has provided you with a list of Saudi Arabia online casinos. Read our reviews and check our ratings to discover your perfect online casino!
Gambling is strictly illegal in Saudi Arabia as it goes against Sharia law. However, players can play at licensed offshore casinos. We have listed multiple accepted brands on this page.
We have listed the top online casinos in Saudi Arabia, including Platin Casino. This established platform offers a generous welcome bonus package, a massive game portfolio, an easy-to-use interface, and mobile compatibility.
You can play with real money at Saudi Arabia online casinos – simply sign up at any of our recommended online casinos, deposit funds with cryptocurrencies or e-wallets, and play games.