We’ve sifted through hundreds of operators to bring you the best betting sites in the UAE. We assessed them based on security, gaming catalog, providers, payment modes, bonus offers, and much more.
BetOnline steals the spotlight with its generous 100% deposit match up to $1,000 for cryptocurrency deposits, backed by some of the best odds in the market. Sultanbet impresses with its diverse sports lineup, ensuring there’s something for every gambling enthusiast. Betfinal simplifies transactions with its extensive range of payment methods.
Top UAE Sports Betting Sites
BetOnline Grab 50% Bonus + Up to $250 in Free Bets + 100 Free Spins Grab 50% Bonus + Up to $250 in Free Bets + 100 Free Spins Sultanbet UAE 100% Welcome Bonus Up To €/$ 2,000 100% Welcome Bonus Up To €/$ 2,000 Betfinal AE 100% up to $100 Sports Welcome Bonus 100% up to $100 Sports Welcome Bonus Shangrila IN 100% Up To €100 (Approx AED 415) 100% Up To €100 (Approx AED 415) HotBet UAE 100% upto 200$ 100% upto 200$ NovaJackpot Sports GCC 100% Welcome Bonus up to 100 100% Welcome Bonus up to 100 Dreambet UAE 100% Up To 200$ 100% Up To 200$ Betway UAE £30 Matched Free Bet If Your First Acca Loses + 50 Bonus Spins £30 Matched Free Bet If Your First Acca Loses + 50 Bonus Spins Lucky Block 200% welcome bonus up to €25,000 + 50 Free Spins 200% welcome bonus up to €25,000 + 50 Free Spins Mega Dice offer 200% Bonus up to 1BTC + 50 Free Spins offer 200% Bonus up to 1BTC + 50 Free Spins
BetOnline
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Sultanbet UAE
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Betfinal AE
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List of Best Online Betting Sites in the UAE and Dubai
Here is a little more information regarding our favorite sites for online betting in the UAE.
- BetOnline – Our pick of the best betting sites in UAE
- Sultanbet – Wide range of sports covered
- Betfinal – Wide range of payment methods
- Shangri La – Virtual camel racing offered
- HotBet – Offers generous welcome bonus
- Dreambet – Monthly free bet offer available
- Betway – Well-established UK bookie that welcomes UAE players
- Lucky Block – Best of the new betting sites in UAE
- Mega Dice – Exciting new crypto-focused betting site
- T.G Casino – Strong odds from newcomer
Reviews of the Best UAE Betting Sites
It’s time to get a little bit more detail regarding the cream of our recommended betting sites in the UAE recommendations. Here are the reviews for our favorite brands.
1. Betonline – Our Pick of the Best Betting Sites in UAE
BetOnline is one of the biggest offshore sports betting sites around. It is great for US sports such as American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. Horse racing is another sport that is well covered, which is good news for UAE sports bettors. The odds are extremely competitive for these, so if you’re a fan of any of the major leagues from North America, BetOnline could be your platform.
The standard welcome offer here gives you a $250 deposit match, but if you deposit with cryptocurrency, you can get a 100% match up to $1000. Considering that crypto is a sensible payment option for UAE users, this is another tick in the box. With many other promotions available for regular users, you can easily see why we rate BetOnline so highly.
BetOnline is particularly a gem for UAE players looking for top sports betting sites because it supports credit cards for all your sports betting payments. Considering online betting in Dubai and the rest of the UAE is illegal, it’s especically important that you can also use crypto at Betonline for anonymous transactions.
Welcome Offer | 100% Matched Deposit Up to $1000 |
Wagering Requirement | 10x |
Minimum Deposit | $20 |
Maximum Withdrawal | No Limit |
Payment Methods | Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin |
Pros:
- Dedicated crypto deposit welcome bonus
- Horse racing betting platform included
- Specialises in North American sports
- Very competitive odds available
Cons:
- Stronger sites out there for soccer betting
2. Sultanbet – Wide Range of Bets Covered
Sultanbet was launched in 2016. As a sportsbook with some history, it’s had time to build an impressive product, with over 40 sports covered and plenty of eSports options. There’s a 100% match on your initial deposit for new users to this online betting site, while existing customers can take advantage of cashback and reload bonuses.
Football, horse racing, and rugby are three of the most popular sports to bet on in the country, and SultanBet offers them. Cricket enthusiasts in the UAE can bet on popular local events like the Sevens Challenger Series and Dubai Rugby Sevens when running.
We were very impressed by the breadth of payment options available, with plenty of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Customer support is also good, but we would have liked to see a telephone option. Overall, Sultanbet has much to recommend it, and is certainly one of the top legal betting sites in the UAE.
Welcome Offer | 100% Matched Deposit Bonus Up to €/$ 2,000 |
Wagering Requirement | 7x |
Minimum Deposit | €20 |
Maximum Withdrawal | No Limit |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum |
Pros:
- Cashback and reload bonuses
- Covers lots of different sports
- Wide variety of payment options
- Responsive and helpful live chat
Cons:
- Lack of phone support
3. Betfinal – 100% Up to $100 Welcome Bonus
Betfinal has a highly respectable track record, having launched in 2013. Since then, it has continually added to its offering, making it one of the most well-rounded sportsbooks in the UAE.
Bettors here can choose between an impressive 40+ different sports. Football has the most markets, but the likes of tennis, table tennis, basketball, and more regularly have hundreds of upcoming matchups to bet on. The pre-match prices for these are competitive, and the live betting tools are highly responsive.
Betfinal a good choice for UAE bettors because it caters to Arabic-speaking customer, letting them bet in their local language. The help desk supports Turkish, Portuguese, and of course Arabic. Moreover, it allows players to wager in AED, which streamlines the payment process for bettors as they can dodge conversion rates.
Betfinal also has two excellent ongoing promotions, both for sports betting. The Monday Madness deal lets you place a $10 risk-free live bet, while the Sports Acca Insurance offer covers you for up to $50 each day.
Welcome Offer | 100% Up to $100 Welcome Bonus |
Wagering Requirement | 6x |
Minimum Deposit | $20 |
Maximum Withdrawal | $5,000 |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, MuchBetter, AstroPay, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum |
Pros:
- 40+ different sports to bet on
- Wager using debit card, cryptos, or e-wallets
- Risk-free bet and acca insurance offers
- Solid track record
Cons:
- Dull user interface
4. Shangri La – 100% Up to $100 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead
Shrangri La began life as an online casino in 2017, to which a sportsbook was added in 2022. For a newcomer to the sports betting world, the initial offering here is an impressive one, with 21,000 sporting events to bet on every month. With the casino being more established, it’s a great product with countless games from the likes of NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, and Play’n GO.
The fact that it holds a Curacao gaming license makes it a trusted choice for UAE bettors. It supports payment methods like credit/debit cards and online banking, which are mostly used by players in the country. These platforms offer reasonable currency conversion fees to maximize your gambling budget.
We were impressed with the fact that the sportsbook offers virtual camel racing available, which will be of interest to users in the UAE. Fans of eSports are also well catered for, with the likes of CS:GO, FIFA, King of Glory, Valorant and NBA2k covered. In genereal, this site should particularly appeal to anyone who likes to mix up their gambling between casino and sportsbook options.
Welcome Offer | 100% Up to $100 + 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead |
Wagering Requirement | 8x |
Minimum Deposit | $20 |
Maximum Withdrawal | No Limit |
Payment Methods | Ethereum, Bitcoin, Ripple, Tether, Litecoin, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Much Better, Amazon Pay |
Pros:
- Established casino brand
- Fund account with cryptocurrencies
- Great for eSports betting fans
- Provides virtual camel racing
Cons:
- Could have more regular sports promos
5. HotBet – 100% up to $200
HotBet is a relatively new online casino, first launching in 2022. The UAE is just one of the many countries in which it operates, although it still offers a full Arabic-language platform, and it holds a full betting license with the government of Curacao.
There’s an extremely varied selection here, with separate areas of the site dedicated to regular, live, and virtual sports, and another section for eSports. In all there are dozens of different markets, with hundreds of individual matchups covered for the likes of basketball, tennis, and more. Even horse racing is covered, which is relatively rare among UAE betting sites.
If anything, it pulls out all the stops with a dedicated horse racing betting section, considering it’s a popular sport in the UAE. You can wager on anything from horses and greyhounds to harnesses. Iconic events where you can place your stakes include The Everest and Caulfield Cup.
HotBet also provides several additional incentives to join. These include not only a sports welcome offer but also a reload bonus, regular free bet tokens, and a handy bet builder for your multiples.
Welcome Offer | 100% Match Bonus Up to $200 |
Wagering Requirement | 16x |
Minimum Deposit | 10 EUR |
Maximum Withdrawal | 2,000 EUR/day |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, e-Wallets, Prepaid Cards |
Pros:
- Regular sports, virtual sports, and eSports all covered in style
- Plenty of free bet tokens on offer
- Wager on horse racing with ease
- Bet builder available
Cons:
- Not the best welcome offer
How the Best Betting Sites in the UAE Today Compare
We’ve explained how our top five recommended online betting sites in the UAE achieved their positions. Now, here’s a visual guide to the features that can be found on all of our favourite platforms.
Sports Betting UAE Site | In-Play Betting | Live Streaming | Cashout | Betting App |
BetOnline | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sultanbet | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Betfinal | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Shangri La | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
HotBet | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Dreambet | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Betway | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Lucky Block | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Mega Dice | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
TG Casino | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Types of Welcome Offers in the UAE
Sports betting UAE sites offer welcome bonuses to attract new users. Different types of regular promotions often pop up, too. Here are the most notable examples in each case.
✅ Deposit Bonus
This is by far the most common type of welcome offer from online sports betting sites in the UAE. You make an initial deposit, which is increased by a certain percentage and given as a bonus, although the sportsbook will impose a limit on what it will give out.
Here are three of the best deposit bonus offers currently available in the UAE:
- BetOnline – 100% Match up to $1000
- Betfinal – 100% Match up to $100
- Shangri La – 100% Match up to 100 EUR
✅ Free Bet
Some bookmakers prefer to give out a free bet, typically in exchange for a deposit and a qualifying bet. In the UAE, it’s not as popular a welcome bonus type as a deposit bonus, but we did find one example:
- Betway – £30 Matched Free Bet
✅ Risk-Free Bet
Another type of welcome bonus available on betting sites online is the famous risk-free bet. You place your first bet, and if it wins you keep the winnings as usual. If it loses, you’ll receive the stake back, which is why it’s known as a risk-free bet. Since you can’t lose, it gives you the option of taking a bit more of a risk on your first wager than you might do ordinarily.
Key Bonus Terms
Certain terms and conditions will be attached when you take advantage of promotions from the top betting sites in the UAE. Here are the most common examples that you’ll encounter with UAE sign-up offer bonuses.
- Cap on Winnings – With most offers on sports betting options, there is a maximum cap on how much you can win. You won’t receive any extra on your bonuses, even if your winnings exceed this amount.
- Eligibility Markets – Some promotions state that certain markets are ineligible for the bonus deal, or specify the markets which you must place your qualifying bet on.
- Expiry Period – Promos from online betting sites in the UAE generally have an expiry date. If you have not taken advantage of an offer or used a free bet by a certain time, then it will be withdrawn.
- Minimum Bet – When making a qualifying bet for a sports betting UAE promo, there will normally be a minimum stake that you have to use to qualify.
- Minimum Deposit – If you’re taking advantage of a deposit bonus offer at one of our recommended sites for online betting in Dubai, you will have to make a minimum level of deposit to qualify.
- Minimum Odds – There are also generally minimum odds when it comes to placing qualifying bets. The qualifying bet has to be made at odds that match or exceed the minimum.
- Wagering Requirements – Should you receive winnings from an online betting UAE bonus deal, then wagering requirements will be required. You will have to bet the total of the winnings a certain number of times. So if the wagering requirements are 10x, you will have to bet the winnings 10 times.
How We Rank the Top UAE Betting Sites
Having taken a look at our rankings of the best betting sites in UAE, you may be wondering how we came to our decisions. Here are some of the criteria that we consider when ranking UAE betting sites.
Betting Markets and Odds
We like online betting UAE sites to cover a range of sports. Within those sports we expect a wide variety of events to be provided, ranging from the big to the small, with deep market coverage. A high percentage of events and markets need to be available to bet on in-play, with the best live sports betting sites also offering extra markets, exclusive to in-play betting. Odds should be consistently fair across the board.
Bonuses and Promotions
When you sign up with one of our recommended UAE online bookmakers, you will be able to take advantage of a welcome bonus. We prefer these offers not to be too strict with their terms and conditions, as they can render the bonus far less lucrative than it first appears. Sportsbooks should also offer a regular stream of promotions for existing users, such as free bet deals, reload bonuses, cashback offers, and more.
Extra Features
There are all sorts of extra features that can elevate the experience of using online sports betting sites in the UAE. When it comes to the core betting product, a Bet Builder and Cashout function are very useful. Live streaming is an important feature that allows players to watch the event that they’re betting on, while using dedicated mobile betting apps in the UAE is a better experience than using a sportsbook via a mobile browser.
Payments and Customer Service
There should be a wide variety of payment options and, due to the legal situation with gambling in the UAE, it’s important that there should be discreet options such as crypto betting payment methods available. If there’s an issue with one of your transactions or anything else, you will need to contact the customer service department. These days, there should be 24/7 availability through a variety of methods, including live chat, where it’s possible to speak directly to a member of staff.
Safety and Security
It’s imperative that any personal information that you entrust to a sportsbook remains private. Our recommended betting sites in the UAE all take security very seriously, utilizing the latest technology to keep the site safe. They also all hold licenses with recognised international betting authorities, ensuring that the sites abide by their rules.
New Betting Sites That Accept UAE Bettors
The betting industry can be a lucrative one for companies that can offer a compelling product, so there is no shortage of new enterprises jostling for a piece of the pie. This is good news for the consumer, as having a wide variety of betting sites in the UAE ensures that there is plenty of choice and competition when it comes to providing the most generous promotions and odds.
New online sports betting sites keep more established operators on their toes and can bring a lot of innovation to the industry as they try to offer regular promotions or something different from their competitors. Sometimes they don’t have quite the range of features as older sportsbooks, but that’s to be expected, and over time their offering normally broadens. Here are our favourite new sports betting UAE sites.
- Lucky Block – 200% up to EUR 25,000 + 50 Free Spins
- Shangri La – 100% Up to EUR 100
- HotBet – 100% up to $200
Choosing the Best Sports Betting Sites
There are specific issues for UAE users to consider when looking to sign up with a sportsbook. Here are some of the aspects to think about when choosing between betting sites in UAE.
Are Bettors From UAE Accepted?
Not all bookmakers will accept users from UAE. Normally, you would say that if you can access the site from your country, it’s likely that you’ll be able to use it, but this is complicated by the fact that players from the UAE will generally want to use a VPN to disguise their location. Our recommended betting sites in the UAE all accept players from the country.
Is the United Arab Emirates Dirham a Currency Option?
Betting online can be a lot easier for UAE users if the Dirham is available as a currency option. If not, it’s easy to convert funds to an accepted currency via an e-wallet, or you could also buy cryptocurrency and deposit via that method.
Do They Cover The Most Popular UAE Sports?
The most popular sports to bet on in the UAE are football, horse racing, and cricket. Therefore, most UAE bettors will want a bookmaker that is strong on these sports. You also might want a sportsbook that covers UAE competitions such as the UAE Pro League and the UAE International T20 League.
Can You Bet in Arabic in the UAE?
The majority of UAE betting sites avail their betting services in multiple languages, other than English. You’ll even find quite a number that let you interact with the interface or support team in Arabic.
A good example to check out if you want to bet in your native language is SultanBet. It supports various languages from French to Turkish, and of course, Arabic. You can interact with the customer service team in your desired language for a more comfortable betting experience. Betfinal, Cashalot, HotBet and Dreambet are also notable examples.
Safe Betting in the UAE
Betting safely is obviously an absolute priority when gambling in the UAE. There are a few key steps you can take to help ensure your safety here.
- Use a VPN
Using a VPN to mask your IP address is a good idea anyway when betting in the UAE, since gambling of all forms in the country is illegal. In addition, a good VPN will have various measures to protect you from hackers. These include not only hiding your IP address but also securing your connection and keeping your online activity completely private from prying eyes.
- Use Safe Payment Methods
While some online betting sites in the UAE provide dozens of payment options, we’d recommend sticking to the proven, secure methods. Obviously the likes of Visa and Mastercard are the gold standard here, but you can also use well-known e-wallets like PayPal. Elsewhere, cryptocurrencies are arguably even more secure, thanks to their blockchain-based nature.
- Bet With Proven Bookies
You can rest assured that all the recommended bookies on this page are legit. If you’re conducting your own search though, you must ensure this for yourself. There are two main things to look for. First is the brand’s reputation among users and experts. Second is the site’s licensing, which should include at least one certificate from a recognised body, such as PAGCOR or the Government of Curacao.
- Check Safety Measures Beforehand
Again, this is a crucial step if you’re going to be seeking out your own UAE sportsbook. It’s imperative that you check the necessary security measures are in place before signing up. At a basic level, these should include the likes of powerful firewalls, SSL, anti-fraud measures, third-party auditing, and so on. Ideally the brand will hold at least one security certificate with an external body, to prove its credentials.
- Use All Possible Security Measures
While firewalls and SSL encryption will kick in automatically, there are some security measures that you should take yourself. In addition to obvious stuff like not using common passwords, this can include setting up 2FA immediately, when available, to help protect your account.
Popular Sports in the UAE
In this section, we are going to look at the most popular sports covered by betting sites in UAE. These are the sports that you’ll find are prioritized when you’re using online betting UAE sites.
Football Betting
Football is the number one sport to both watch and bet on in the UAE. You’ll also find that football is the most prominently displayed and likely to head the live sections. The English Premier League is the biggest club competition in the UAE, with other leagues in Europe and the Champions League also available. Domestically, the UAE Pro League is on the rise and now features many famous international players. Naturally, you can also bet on international tourmaments like the World Cup.
Our pick of the football betting sites in the UAE is Lucky Block.
Horse Racing Betting
The UAE is home to some of the finest horse racing on the planet. Meydan Racecourse hosts huge events throughout the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, culminating in the Dubai World Cup Night at the end of March. This attracts some of the world’s top thoroughbred racehorses to the UAE.
Dubai is also one of the bases of Godolphin Racing, arguably the most powerful owner-breeder operation on the planet. Naturally, a sport that operates at such a high level in a country is very popular to bet on. Of all the horse racing platforms in the UAE, our favourite is BetOnline.
Cricket Betting
Another sport where a lot of top-level action is hosted in the UAE is cricket. IPL matches have been played in the country, Pakistan have played test matches and limited-overs games, while the UAE also hosted the 2021 T20 World Cup. As a result of that, the sport is also growing domestically with the UAE International T20 League launching in 2023 and the UAE international team a member of the ICC.
As the popularity of cricket grows, betting on the sport will only get bigger at Dubai betting sites. Having reviewed many UAE sites, we recommend Betway for cricket betting in Dubai and elsewhere in the Emirates.
Camel Racing
A sport with betting options that are particular to the UAE is camel racing. Tracks throughout the country host camel racing meetings, which see huge crowds of locals and tourists attend. Betting at the racetracks is prohibited, and we didn’t find any UAE betting sites which offered camel racing markets.
There are some, however, that provide betting on virtual camel racing, which is a good substitute. Our favourite destination for virtual camel racing is Shangri La.
Other Sports
There are many other top-level sporting events available for online betting in the UAE. These include international tournaments on the PGA golf tour and both the ATP and WTA tennis tours, with golf and tennis being two of the most popular sports to bet on at betting sites in the UAE.
F1 comes to the nation every year at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while in recent years there has been a rise in the number of boxing events hosted in the country. Another growing betting phenomenon in the UAE is eSports, with bookmakers offering the opportunity to pace wagers on competitive video games.
Where to Find the Best Sports Betting Odds
There is no single sports betting UAE site where you will always be able to get the most generous prices. That said, some Dubai bookies consistently offer good value across the board on a range of different sports and markets.
We recommend having a portfolio of Dubai betting sites rather than just one, because you can then compare prices between them. We have found that the following sites in the UAE are very generous when it comes to their odds:
- BetOnline – 100% Matched Deposit Up to $1000
- Lucky Block – 200% up to EUR 25,000 + 50 Free Spins
- HotBet – 100% up to $200
Available Payment Methods for UAE Online Betting
The legalities of using betting sites in UAE (which we will examine later in this article) mean that it makes sense to be careful when making payments. Here is the lowdown on the forms of payment available at online betting UAE sites and which ones are best to use.
Debit & Credit Cards
In many ways, there’s nothing that could be more convenient than to make payments via debit or credit card to betting sites in UAE. It’s a quick way to make deposits and withdrawals, but the negative is that it creates a link between your personal finances and betting companies, which could cause you legal problems. The same is true for bank transfers, so we recommend using other payment methods.
Cryptocurrencies
Making your financial transactions using cryptocurrencies is one of the most effective ways to retain some anonymity when using betting sites in the UAE. More and more places are now offering crypto as a payment option, so if you use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, it could be the perfect solution.
e-Wallets
One of the most popular ways for people to make payments to betting sites in UAE is via e-wallets. Like cryptocurrencies, these create a degree of separation between your bank and betting accounts but are a lot more user-friendly in terms of payouts.
Transactions are essentially instant, but a drawback is that there can be fees from some e-wallet companies. Here is a table with some extra information regarding available payment methods for betting sites in the UAE today:
Payment Method | Fees | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Withdrawal |
Credit Card/Debit Card | 0% | $1-$10 | $10 |
Trustly (bank transfer) | 0% (banks may charge) | $1-$10 | $10 |
Apple Pay | 0% | $1-$10 | $10 |
e-wallets | 0% (e-wallets will charge up to 5%) | $1-$10 | $10 |
Cryptocurrencies | 0% | $1-$10 | $10 |
Best Sports Betting Apps in the UAE
Sporting events are available to wager on 24/7 at betting sites in the UAE, but you can’t always be at home and in front of your computer. The advent of mobile betting ensures that you no longer need to, as you can access betting options via your phone or tablet.
While viewing online betting UAE sites via a mobile browser tends to work perfectly well, we prefer the experience of using a dedicated mobile app. An actual betting app in the UAE will tend to be faster, more secure, and built with a smaller screen in mind, making it easier overall to use. Here are our three favourite mobile apps offered by betting sites in UAE now:
- Lucky Block – 200% up to EUR 25,000 + 50 Free Spins
- BetOnline – 100% Matched Deposit Up to $1,000
- SultanBet – 100% Matched Deposit Bonus Up to €/$ 2,000
How to Sign Up to Online Betting Sites in the UAE
Signing up with betting websites in the UAE is simple. Just to make it even easier, here are some step-by-step instructions. We’ve used Betway as an example, but you’ll find the process is pretty similar across all of our recommended online sportsbooks in the UAE.
Step 1: Visit A Sportsbook
We’ve used Betway for our how to sign up demo. Go to the Betway website. In the top right-hand corner, there is a button marked ‘Register’. Click on it to begin the registration process.
Step 2: Register Your Details
Now you have to add your personal details and select a username and password. You’ll also have to agree to Betway’s terms and conditions.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
Once your account is set up you can add some money. Go to the banking section, choose your payment method, select how much money you want to add, and confirm the deposit.
Step 4: Place Your Bet
With money in your account, you can place your first bet. Choose the sport and event that you want to bet on, click on the odds of the wager you want to select, pick your stake, and confirm the bet.
Online Gambling Laws in the UAE
With the UAE being a devoutly Muslim nation, all forms of gambling are illegal. That means that there are no casinos, betting shops or lottery sales, with online gambling also prohibited. Yet despite this situation, there are many foreign sportsbooks, including some of the biggest UK betting sites, that accept users from the UAE.
In practice, it’s rare that the authorities make the effort to try and find people who are using betting sites in the UAE. If they do catch people doing so, a fine is a much likelier result than anything more serious. With there being no legal sites in UAE, players can reduce the risk of getting into any trouble to practically zero with a few simple measures.
Using a VPN, which disguises your location, is advisable when betting in the UAE. When making payments, users from the UAE tend to use e-wallets that create a degree of separation from your bank account or cryptocurrency, which is even better as it basically makes your payments anonymous.
Future Outlook of Online Betting in the UAE
While gambling is still illegal in the UAE, the future looks a bit brighter. In September 2023, the country established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to create a regulatory framework for gambling and a national lottery.
A federal approach seems likely, where individual Emirates establish the finer details on which forms of betting become legal. WynnBet already has a multi-billion-dollar casino development coming up, so you know these developments are solid.
Once the government starts licensing online, the industry is expected to become more transparent and secure and attract even more players. With the UAE being a hub for tech, we’ll likely see enhanced betting experiences, with improvements in live streaming, virtual reality, and mobile optimization.
Top Tips for Sports Betting in Dubai and the UAE
If you’re going to be using sports betting UAE sites regularly, then it will pay to have some strategies to hand. Here are a few top tips to hopefully help you towards profitability.
Tip 1: Start With Caution
If you’re just getting started with using betting sites in the UAE, we’d recommend that you begin with small stakes. Even experienced bettors can make mistakes, so get to know how the markets work and familiarise yourself with the process of placing bets, both pre-game and live, before getting involved with larger stakes.
Tip 2: Stick to What You Know
It can be tempting to place a bet on a big event that’s on TV and everyone’s talking about, but if you’re not a fan of the sport in question, you could end up with a losing wager. It makes sense to stick to betting on sports that you really know well and watch regularly. Even if you’re a football fan, limit yourself to betting on leagues and competitions that you actively follow.
Tip 3: Do Your Homework
If there’s an event that you want to place a bet on, be sure to do plenty of research beforehand. There are lots of sports statistics websites out there to make this process easy, with many bookmakers having their own stats section. Some bookies also have separate tips sites that can give you advice and insight. Going back to our second point, if you stick to betting on events that you’re really interested in, then doing your homework will be a pleasure rather than a chore.
Physical Sportsbooks in the UAE
You likely already know sports betting is illegal in the UAE and most of the Middle East. While a few underground establishments may exist, they are often raided and pose a huge risk of getting arrested. So, if you want to gamble physically in the UAE, you have the following options:
Cruise Ship Gambling
If you’re willing to ride out into international waters in a cruise ship, you can gamble all you want and be back home before dinner. Numerous cruise ships dock in the UAE and provide locals with an opportunity to bet on loads of sports and games without breaking the law.
Raffles
Dubai is the capital of raffles in the UAE. You can take part in the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire by purchasing tickets at any airport duty-free shop. These raffles not only offer cash prizes, but luxury cars and other similar prizes.
Horse Racing Contests
You won’t find betting windows at any UAW racecourse, but your entry fee enters you into a contest. Players can take part in a Pick 6 game to predict the top-3 horses at the final three races. Since you don’t have to pay extra to get into the contest, this isn’t considered gambling.
How Business2Community Supports Responsible Gambling
UAE bettors need to ensure they don’t spend more than they can afford. We exercise a few practices to encourage safe and responsible gambling among punters.
Promoting Licensed Casinos
Licensed sportsbooks in the UAE often have responsible gambling practices in place than their non-licensed counterparts. They must account for their operations to their respective licensing bodies.
Responsible Gambling Features
B2C brings to light several tools to encourage mindful sports betting. Punters should set limits for deposits, losses, and wagering. We also promote the setting of session limits and timeouts where players can block themselves from betting.
Transparency & Honesty
We are passionate about making players aware of the risks associated with erratic betting practices so they sign up without bias and take the necessary precautions to curb them.
Educating Players
B2C understands how some UAE punters may need help with their gambling habits. As such, we always teach players to gamble responsibly and seek out resources like GamAnon that can help break negative gambling habits if things get bad.
The Best Betting Site in the UAE
We hope that you have enjoyed our guide to betting sites in the UAE. As you have seen, bettors have a wide variety of sports betting sites to choose from. Our current favorite is BetOnline, which offers the best betting features all-around for new customers in Dubai and the UAE.