Gambling is strictly prohibited in Islam, making it illegal throughout the Middle East. Currently, the Casino du Liban in Lebanon is the only casino in the Middle East where Arabs can gamble. However, the landscape shifts when it comes to online gambling.
While no Middle Eastern country has officially legalized this industry, many online casinos warmly welcome players from this region. As a result, a substantial number of Arabs already enjoy online gambling, a number projected to surge significantly by the end of the decade. Research conducted by StellarMR indicates that the Middle East’s online gambling market is poised to reach a staggering $27.98 billion. What is driving this rise in the popularity of online gambling in the Arab world?
Middle East-themed Online Casinos
Online casino operators understand the potential of the Arab market for their industry. This is why many gambling companies have launched platforms specifically catering to the Middle East.
One of the best examples is VIP Arab Club, an online casino owned by a Cyprus company with a license issued by the Government of Curacao. Although this gambling site doesn’t have any direct connection to the Middle East, its entire design is inspired by Arab culture. Even the casino’s Arabian horse logo is an homage to the Middle East.
It resembles many other gambling sites, including Emir Bet and YYY Casino. These online casinos are available in Arabic, while some even go as far as to provide live support in this language. On top of everything, they all have special bonuses for the players in this region.
Special Bonuses and Promotions for Arab Players
Nearly 500 million people call the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region their home. Considering that almost two-thirds of them are adults, it’s understandable that the region is attractive to gambling companies.
Not only do most leading online casinos accept players from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and other MENA countries, but many also have some special deals for them. For instance, the VIP Arab Club offers Arab players a unique offer: a no-deposit bonus for signing up.
Still, the match-deposit bonus type is the industry standard, with practically all Arab-friendly sites having such deals on the table. Some of the most lucrative bonuses include a $7777 bonus + 300 free spins at Lucky Dreams Casino, a $3,000 bonus package at GratoWin, and others.
Payment Options for Arab Gamblers
In some parts of the MENA region, online gambling falls in a grey legal area. This means that gambling on the internet is not legal but is also not explicitly banned. In other countries, however, this activity is banned, and banks are not allowed to process payments to/from online casinos. In simple terms, in some MENA countries, banking options like Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers cannot be used for gambling.
This is why many casino players in the region tend to opt for anonymous payment methods, with cryptocurrency being a favored choice. The best Arab online casinos readily accommodate cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Some of these casinos even go the extra mile by accepting payments made with Monero, often called the “privacy coin.”
Online Gambling Games Popular in the Middle East
In online gambling, slot games are the most popular choice. The Arab world is no exception, with Arab players showing a keen affinity for slots, especially those with a connection to their heritage.
For instance, at YYY Casino, titles like “Pharaoh’s Treasure Deluxe” and “Pride of Persia” hold top positions on the list of popular games for players in the region.
Beyond slots, Arab casino players also have a preference for specific table games, including:
Roulette
This classic casino game is special among Arabs, leading software providers like Playtech and Evolution to introduce Arabic Roulette with Arabic-speaking dealers.
Andar Bahar and Teen Patti
These traditional playing card games, originating in India, resonate with many Arab players, particularly considering the significant Indian expatriate population in countries like the UAE and Kuwait.
Online Poker
While some Arab players, like Maher Nouira from Tunisia, have made substantial earnings playing professionally, many enjoy poker for recreation at online poker rooms like PokerStars,
which welcomes users from Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, and other countries.
Final Thoughts
The Middle East has witnessed substantial growth in its online gambling industry. Online gambling has become significant in the region, showing no signs of decline. This success may even prompt some Arab countries to reconsider their stance on the legality of gambling activities within their borders.
