United Arab Emirates

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Are you a gambling enthusiast and coincidentally longing to take a trip to the United Arab Emirates? Well, as much as it breaks our heart to say this, gambling is highly looked down upon in this part of the globe. Why? Most if not all laws governing citizens residing in the Emirates strictly abide by passages in the Quran. Which if we may add, highly forbids gambling. This is not surprising for most UAE (the United Arab Emirates in short) citizens are affiliated with the Islamic religion.

Laws against gambling are so harsh that getting caught will land you two-year jail time or a twenty thousand dirham fine. And let’s face it, nobody wants to end up in this predicament. Keeping all this in mind, I bet you are wondering why we would bother compiling a detailed review of United Arab Emirates casinos.

Well, as one of the wealthiest nations worldwide, UAE citizens have not only found loopholes in their country’s strict casino gaming regulations but also discovered how to gamble under their government’s strict supervision. Which leads us to the next query, how can you be part of the casino gaming action?

Gambling in the United Arab Emirates Today

In any case scenario, there are always two sides of a coin, and in this particular situation, you can either opt for the legally accepted form of gaming in the United Arab Emirates or embrace the dark side. Since good is always better, let’s discuss Horse Race wagering or what we like to call ‘a loophole in the UAE gambling regulations.

Who Said Horses Couldn’t Earn You Millions!

If there is one horse racing event that stands out online, it is the Dubai World Cup. In essence, the Dubai World Cup is an event comprising purebred horses whose sole purpose is to race around a two-kilometer track. And watching these majestic beasts in action is not the best part, on the contrary. All this is in pursuit of a $10 million cash prize!

Enough about the game and more into gambling. Since this event attracts over 50,000 spectators, multiple foreign bookies avail wagering opportunities on the event. If you haven’t figured it by now, this is one of the safest ways for United Arab Emirates citizens to gamble. How? One can simply place wagers through close individuals residing away from the Emirates. Talk of a loophole.

There Is More

Horse racing might not be your cup of tea, and that is why you should consider registering in one of the many raffles available in the United Arab Emirates. Let us assume this is all new to you. First and foremost, you need to identify which lottery event you want to partake in. Next, proceed to set aside some cash for an opportunity to land a sweet prize.

As much as this may be considered gambling in other parts of the globe, it is legal to do so in the UAE.

Exclusive to Risk-Takers

Horse racing and lottery games may seem like a raw deal for any gambling enthusiast out there. Hence the need to expand the wagering territory via one of the most popular betting options – online casinos. Yes, all forms of gambling are against the UAE laws and that is why this option is solely targeting Emirati players willing to take a risk. In essence, you must be willing to circumvent the blocks on all betting websites that are put in place by the United Arab Emirates government. How is this possible, you ask? Well, that brings us to the next section.

Impact of Online Gambling in the UAE

Truth be told, before the age of online casinos, betting in the Emirates was unimaginable. However, this is all behind us thanks to the millions of online gaming sites worldwide. But just before you get all excited, it is critical to note that UAE residents have far lesser options compared to citizens residing in countries that legally recognize gambling.

Despite all these negative odds, the online casino community is slowly opening up to UAE citizens due to the high demand exhibited in the country. Essentially, as a UAE citizen, you have an opportunity to bet online at some of the safest online gaming sites. But just before you get started, here are some ground rules you need to be familiar with.

  1. Secure your Identity
    Since regulated online Emirates casinos are illegal, the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is mandatory. This opens an endless window of advantages including masking your IP address, access blocked websites and encodes data transfers.
  2. The game at a site with a legally accredited license
    A casino’s license should be your major priority for this is one of the indicators to the league of the best Emirates online casinos. Moreover, it is a guarantee that you will experience a safe and secure gaming session. To start you off, it is wise to settle with a site that is either licensed by Malta, Curacao, United Kingdom, Gibraltar Antigua or The Isle of Man.
  3. Ensure the casino accepts UAE gamers
    This will by far enhance your gaming experience for the site and particularly pay attention to your needs including a flexible form of currency, multiple languages, exclusive Emirates casino bonuses among others.
  4. Settle for e-wallets
    In this case, Bitcoin would be the best option since you are aiming at anonymity while partaking in your betting activities. Moreover, e-wallets like Neteller, PayPal and Skrill are a great choice for they make deposits and withdrawals very easy compared to credit cards.

Now that you are familiar with the ground rules let us dive into where the real action is – online casino games you can try out!

What to Expect

Despite the absence of legally regulated United Arab Emirates casinos, the online world is packed with endless possibilities. From the all so popular slot machines to the traditional table games, bingo, poker, virtual reality games, running out of wagering options is unthinkable.

In case you are new to the online gambling scene, it would be wise to start with one of the easiest casino games – slots. And do not worry about spending cash while familiarising with the game, quite the opposite. Most if not all slot machines are available on free play mode. Meaning you can experience the gaming action without spending a dime.

If slots do not fit your gaming preference, perhaps the good old table games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, which require skill and expertise, might do the trick. And just to ensure that you get the best out of all these gaming titles, settle for the variety produced by some of the best software developers in the industry.

Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, Konami and IGT productions will always present games with superb graphics, realistic sound effects and unforgettable animations that aim at bringing any game to life.  And just when you think it cannot get better, it does.

Spice It Up with Some Live-Action

Since regulated UAE land-based casinos are outlawed, it is not surprising that most UAE players have never experienced the glitz and glam that comes with the land-based set-up. However, thanks to technology a United Arab Emirates player can experience the land-based casino feeling via the live gaming option.

In essence, one can interact with casino agents or other gamblers while playing some casino games via the web. Some of the most popular live casino games include poker, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Talk of partaking in a full casino session right in the comfort of your home.

After a Sweet Payout – What Next?

Let’s face it, anyone that has ever tried their luck in any real money online casino game secretly hopes for a huge cash prize. Hence, it is critical to comprehend how to go about withdrawing wins from an online gaming site after landing a win, whether big or small. Since this article is narrowed down to Emirates citizens, we will focus on banking options that will suit their needs. More specifically, e-wallets.

Getting Started

While registering as a gamer at an approved Emirates online casino, it is critical to select an e-wallet as your deposit and withdrawal method. You can always select Skrill, PayPal or Neteller to load cash into your new casino account. And to make things easier, opt for the US Dollar as your mode of currency for easier transactions and more importantly to avoid suspicions from the UAE government.

Once this is settled, making cash withdrawals from any wins accrued will be a breeze. Besides, e-wallets take less than 24 hours to process payments, making it one of the fastest banking solutions yet.

For the Best Outcome – Play at the Best UAE Online Casinos

In a bid to determine whether an online gaming site is worth your time, there are a couple of things you should look out for. And these include:

  • A legally accredited gaming license
  • Reputable software developers
  • A variety of gaming titles
  • Safe, secure and reliable banking options
  • A professional customer support team
  • Sweet Emirates casino bonuses with friendly terms and conditions

And since we have your best interest at heart, we have taken the liberty of narrowing down your search to 888.com casino, Casino.com, and Spin Palace Casino. Once you familiarise yourself with our recommended UAE online casinos listed above, you can comfortably widen your horizons.

FAQ’s

Is gambling legal in the UAE?

No, gambling in land-based casinos is illegal in the country. Though you can find some online casinos that accept Emirati players.

Which are the best payment options for Emirati players?

E-Wallets are considered the best for Emirati players. Skrill, PayPal, Neteller, and others can be used for depositing and withdrawing money from online casinos.
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