A Closer Look at the Best Online Casino UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a dynamic place. Built on the riches that its plentiful oil reserves have bestowed in recent decades, the UAE is quickly becoming a Middle East party hotspot. The strange thing is though, that the UAE is a predominantly Muslim country where all forms of gambling are currently banned.
But what does this juxtaposition mean for casino online with real money UAE? This article takes a closer look at the legal interpretation of gambling by local legislators, and answers the question of whether there is a best casino online UAE to recommend.
Recommended Sites: The Best Online Casino UAE
These days, there is a wealth of options if you are looking for a brand new casino option. As ever, we review the contenders for the crown of best casino online UAE for the assistance of local fans and below are the leading options, in our opinion.
- 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 UAE
For a country that is intertwined with the thoroughbred racing industry, the UAE is one of a number of majority Muslim nations that have extremely conservative views where betting is concerned. Gambling in all forms is currently illegal for UAE residents in line with strict Sharia laws that are adopted within the Middle East nation. This is even the case when locals add to the world class racing facilities that exist at Meydan and Jebil Ali.
However, there are signs that this status quo may soon be challenged. In recent times, authorities in the UAE have created the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which means that the UAE now has a body that can regulate casino online with real money UAE entities, if they choose to do so. However, all UAE residents need to bear in mind that strict penalties are applied to anyone that is caught gambling in any of its popular forms. For anyone who wants to take advantage of the best casino online UAE, discretion is required to stay clear of legal sanctions.
Physical Casinos
In the same way that casino online with real money UAE sites are difficult to access, you will not find a physical casino in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a largely Muslim country, so the position taking by Sharia law in relation to gambling sites is all-encompassing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that this will always be the case.
The UAE is rapidly becoming the go-to Middle Eastern holiday destination of choice for jetsetters, and among this cohort are many visitors who enjoy a night at the casino. As the UAE continues to transition its economy from one this is reliant on oil exports to one that is more focused on generating tourism income, the current view of the UAE government relating to physical casinos will surely alter. Watch this space!
Online Casinos
Gambling is an illegal pursuit in the United Arab Emirates at this time, this means that you will not currently find any UAE-based online casino firms that are specifically piping content into the market for UAE residents. .
Still, UAE locals have the opportunity to access the casino facilities of some of the globe’s biggest names, but always bear in mind that you could easily fall foul of local laws by doing so.
Future changes
The future of gambling in the United Arab Emirates is likely to focus on a small number of super resorts that are squarely aimed at holiday making visitors. The Al-Marjan casino project is one such prospect. Due to open in 2027, the Al-Marjan site is pencilled in to deliver casino facilities as a central plank to this major hospitality investment. However, Al-Marjan is yet to receive a gaming license, so it is still up in the air as to whether local authorities will be able to give this betting hub the green light.
Casino Bonuses for Players in UAE
Casino online with real money UAE bonuses come in the form of deposit bonuses, free spins, and no deposit bonuses, depending on which platform a UAE casino fan looks to access – all casino fans know the value of free play in any form! Here’s our guide to these potentially balance boosting promos.
Deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses are a punter’s dream wherever you choose to access casino action from. The premise of this offer is simple. You deposit a predetermined sum, either as part of a new player deal or as an ongoing reward, and your casino provider adds a free amount to your account balance. Of course, sorting a good offer from a great offer often depends on the attached terms and conditions. Winnings from a deposit bonus usually need to be wagered multiple times to convert these figures to withdrawable cash. Smaller wagering terms tend to give players a better chance of profiting from these schemes.
Free spins
Free spins are another way for casino players to line their pockets, so it is always worth looking for providers that offer slots for no cost. You can pick up free spins on top RNG games for nothing in several ways. Free spins are often attached to new player deposit bonuses. Generally these promos are linked to several top name titles, giving new members the chance to experience the buzz that these games create, as well as providing a potential revenue raiser.
Alternatively, up-and-coming casinos now offer a slew of tournaments for clients to participate in. These generally allow entrants to play through a collection of spins, with winners being players who land the biggest wins throughout this stint. Thousands of free spins can be up for grabs it you win the right tournament at the right time, so keep your eyes peeled.
No deposit bonuses
As a means of trying out a new slots game or a new casino website, finding a no deposit bonus is probably the best option. No deposit bonuses give you the chance to play a specific game for free. This may seem like a strange thing for a casino operator to do, however, it is a great marketing tool to draw in the crowds. So, if you ever see a new casino that offers this type of bonus, it is always worth giving it a second look as you can only possibly gain from the deal.
How We Review Online Casino UAE
You should always be on the lookout for several characteristics before you decide which casino to add to your portfolio. Here’s our opinion on the situation.
Popular UAE Casino Games
UAE society is quite traditional, so it is no surprise to see that traditional betting games get the nod of approval from locals in this Persian Gulf paradise. Card games always grab the attention of UAE betting fans, as do the traditional table games like roulette and craps. Here’s our look at the popular UAE casino games that get nationals invested.
Roulette
The United Arab Emirates is quickly developed it’s reputation for being the location in the Middle East where a luxury lifestyle is seen as being mundane. Such is the wealth that exists within the UAE, everyone is looking to enjoy a bit of the jet set lifestyle. If one casino game embodies this ambiance it has to be roulette – live dealers are always well presented. This turns a session at the tables into an event that is there to be marvelled at and enjoyed. The potential development of casino resorts across the UAE in future years will tap into this idea.
Poker
Poker is another game that is iconic in the eyes of gambling fans, with this classic card game also developing quite a following among holiday goers and immigrants to the UAE. Poker comes in a number of forms at the best UAE casinos. Video poker versions play out like a slot, while poker tournaments often involve thousands of entrants doing battle on tables of six or eight, with winners walking away with substantial prize money amounts.
Blackjack
Blackjack is popular the world over, so, once again, it is not a surprise that there is demand for the game among the band of casino devotees that currently reside in the UAE. Blackjack is the card game that harnesses an adversarial battle with complete simplicity to create a betting game that is both dramatic and easy to understand. These points, and the fact that side bets can see players pick up huge wins, explains why blackjack is a popular pastime in the UAE.
Online Casino UAE Payments
Because the residents of the UAE are currently restricted to accessing offshore casino feeds, this means that most deposit options are available to betting fans in the country. The following are your main options:
Cryptocurrencies
It could be said that the launch of cryptocurrencies has revolutionized the online casino possibilities for the citizens of the UAE. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, and Ripple, are among the long list of virtual currency that are accepted at leading international casinos.
Digital Wallets
Using a digital wallet to make an online purchase is simple and safe. Many online casinos that can be accessed by people living in the UAE offer this payment option as a means of accepting deposits.
Traditional Methods
Once again, traditional payment options such as a direct bank transfer or a debit card payment are accepted by online casinos that can be piped into the UAE. However, these are far from ideal when it comes to speed in comparison to PayPal or cryptocurrencies.
Tips for Choosing Casinos in UAE
There are many things that the residents of the UAE might look for in a potential casino partner, with safety, security, and the potential to remain anonymous being traits that are likely to appeal. However, beyond these important factors are several service based metrics that also need to be considered.
VIP Schemes
A good casino VIP scheme can turn a good casino into a great one. You can never expect much of a freebie from your preferred casino operator, but any platform provider that is happy to reward your continued custom is likely to be viewed much more favourably than more chaste rivals. We’ve seen many VIP set-ups and our favourites are open to players from day one of sign up, offer the potential for regular free spins or bonus credits, and deliver invites to corporate shindigs, many of which often take place in the vicinity of the UAE.
Customer support
You pray for the best when you sign up at any online casino, but you should also, always, be expecting the worse. You should always have a plan for all eventualities when you are playing betting games online. For instance, what are you going to do if your slot spin crashes just as the jackpot symbols line up on your screen? Connect your provider’s customer support team of course. The best online betting platforms offer 24/7 live chat facilities to deal with any of your issues in real time. If your casino doesn’t, it might be time to try out one of the names on our list of recommendations.
Games
The point of playing at an online casino is to experience some of the buzz that is created in its bricks-and-mortar counterparts. However, you are never going to enjoy this experience if your casino provider doesn’t support the games that you want to play. Look out for a great slots selection, a fancy range of live roulette options, and a nice sportsbook as well. Check out our favourites list of you need some examples!
A Closer Look at a Recommended UAE Online Casino
BC.Game is an online casino that will tick many boxes for UAE residents that wish to play virtual betting games. The site constantly has an alluring welcome bonus as well as a range of ongoing promos – sign up today for access to thousands of crypto slots, roulette tables, and crash games.
18+. New players only. Minimum qualifying deposit of $10 (or equivalent). Receive up to $20,000 (in BCD) credited to Rakeback. Bonus unlocked based on wagering activities in casino and sports games, calculated as wager x 1% x 20%. Full terms and conditions apply.
Online Casino UAE Summary
- It is currently illegal to bet at online casinos if you live or work in the UAE
- This may change soon following the creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA)
- Resort casinos, such as the Al-Marjan project could be among the first gambling venues to be licenced within the UAE
Many international casinos can be accessed by the residents of the UAE, see which of these platforms have made our recommended lists.
At the time of writing, gambling in the United Arab Emirates in all forms is illegal. The UAE is a majority Muslim country, so it’s laws are based on the Sharia system that prohibits gambling of all types. However, given the creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the UAE government now has the opportunity to legalise physical or online gambling within the country if it chooses to do so at any time in the future.
If you have the capability of accessing an offshore online casino from your UAE base, BC.Game has to be among your best options. This multifaceted operator readily accepts cryptocurrency – ideal for fast transactions.
You can access many of the world’s leading casino websites if you are in the UAE. Real money casinos are part of this mix which means any winnings can be returned via your payment method of choice.