The Middle East is often seen as a region where casinos simply do not exist. In reality, the picture is more nuanced. Across the broader Middle East and North Africa, strict religious and legal bans coexist with carefully controlled exceptions designed to support tourism, attract foreign investment, and diversify national economies.
Understanding where casinos are forbidden, where they are permitted, and how that balance is managed is essential for hospitality brands, investors, tourism professionals, and even curious travellers. As of late 2024, the region offers a mix of long-established casinos, new integrated resort projects, and markets that remain firmly closed to any form of gambling.
Why gambling is mostly restricted in the Middle East
The starting point for most Middle Eastern countries is clear: traditional interpretations of Islamic law prohibit gambling. This religious foundation is reflected in national legislation that classifies games of chance for money as criminal offences.
Three main factors explain the generally restrictive approach:
- Religious and cultural values– For countries where Islam shapes both law and social norms, gambling is viewed as incompatible with ethical and spiritual principles.
- Social protection– Policymakers often emphasise the need to prevent addiction, indebtedness, and related social issues that can accompany unregulated gambling.
- Political sensitivity– Legalising casinos can be controversial among citizens, making governments cautious, even when they see tourism potential.
Even in markets that do allow casinos, these concerns remain central. The result is a regulatory mindset focused on tight control, limited access, and strong alignment with broader social expectations.
The map today: where casinos are prohibited
Across much of the Middle East, land‑based casinos are simply not part of the legal economy. While details vary by country, the overall picture is consistent: gambling is generally banned.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries (except specific UAE projects)
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, most countries maintain comprehensive prohibitions on casinos and other forms of commercial gambling.
- Saudi Arabia– Gambling is prohibited in line with religious and legal principles. There are no legal land‑based casinos, and online gambling is also banned.
- Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman– Penal codes in these states typically criminalise gambling activities. There are no licensed casinos, and public discussion remains limited.
- United Arab Emirates (federal level)– Historically, gambling has been prohibited under federal law. However, new regulatory developments, discussed later, indicate a controlled shift in approach.
Other Middle Eastern states with strict bans
Beyond the GCC, several other countries also prohibit casinos and most forms of gambling.
- Iran– Gambling is banned under Islamic law, and there are no legal casinos.
- Iraq and Yemen– National legislation prohibits gambling, and casinos are not legally recognised.
- Many Levant and North African markets– Outside a handful of well‑known exceptions, most states in the wider region do not license casinos for public operation.
In these markets, any gambling that does occur tends to be informal or underground, offering none of the regulatory oversight, consumer protection, or economic benefits associated with well‑managed, legal casino industries.
The notable exceptions: where casinos are legal
Against this backdrop of strict bans, a small group of countries in the broader Middle East and North Africa have adopted a different strategy. They allow casinos in controlled settings, typically with a strong focus on tourism, foreign currency earnings, and job creation.
Lebanon: a historic flagship with Casino du Liban
Lebanon is home to one of the region’s most iconic gaming venues, Casino du Liban, located in Jounieh, north of Beirut. Operating for decades, it represents a clear example of how a Middle Eastern country can integrate casino gaming into its tourism and entertainment offer while preserving its wider cultural identity.
Key characteristics of the Lebanese casino model include:
- Single major operator– Casino du Liban has long functioned as the country’s dominant licensed casino, rather than a landscape of multiple competing venues.
- Full‑service entertainment– The property combines slot machines and table games with fine dining, shows, and events, creating a complete night‑out experience rather than a stand‑alone gaming hall.
- Tourism and local spend– The casino attracts foreign visitors and members of the Lebanese diaspora, while also serving domestic guests in a controlled environment.
For international hospitality and gaming brands, Lebanon illustrates how a single well‑positioned casino can anchor a national entertainment strategy, drive high‑value tourism, and contribute tax revenues and skilled employment.
Egypt: tourism‑driven casinos for foreign guests
Egypt has developed one of the most extensive casino sectors in the region, but with very specific boundaries. Casinos operate primarily in major tourist destinations such as Cairo and resort hubs on the Red Sea, and they are mainly open to foreign passport holders who play in foreign currency.
This model delivers several advantages for Egypt:
- Tourism enhancement– Casinos complement Egypt’s core attractions, such as historical sites and beach resorts, adding another leisure option for international visitors.
- Foreign currency inflows– Casino revenues earned in foreign currency support the wider economy and the country’s foreign exchange position.
- Targeted access– By directing casino gaming toward tourists, regulators align with local cultural expectations while still capturing economic benefits.
For operators, Egypt shows that the Middle East can support a network of casinos when they are embedded in broader tourism ecosystems and framed clearly as services for foreign guests.
Morocco and Tunisia: North African gateways
In North Africa, Morocco and Tunisia have positioned themselves as accessible entertainment destinations for European, regional, and diaspora travellers. While often discussed separately from the core Middle East, they are part of the wider MENA landscape and play an important role in the regional casino story.
Moroccohosts several established casinos in cities such as Marrakech, Casablanca, and Agadir. These properties typically form part of hotel complexes or integrated resorts, combining gaming with restaurants, bars, shows, and conference facilities.
Tunisiafeatures casinos in key coastal resorts, where they support package tourism and independent travellers looking for beach, spa, and entertainment breaks.
The shared strengths of the Moroccan and Tunisian approaches include:
- Resort integration– Casinos are one component of a larger hospitality product, helping to increase occupancy, length of stay, and guest spending.
- Diversified audiences– Properties target Europeans, regional visitors, and expatriates, spreading demand across several markets.
- Employment and skills– Casino operations create jobs in gaming, hospitality, security, technology, and management, building transferable skills for local workforces.
The evolving UAE: integrated resorts and careful regulation
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most closely watched markets in the region for any potential evolution in casino and gaming policy. Traditionally, gambling has been prohibited under federal law. However, the country has become a global hub for tourism, events, and luxury hospitality, leading to growing interest in how it might approach regulated gaming in the future.
Recent developments include:
- Creation of a dedicated regulator– The UAE has announced a federal authority to oversee commercial gaming and lotteries. This signals a move toward a structured, law‑based framework rather than ad hoc decisions.
- Integrated resort projects– In particular, an upcoming integrated resort in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, developed in partnership with a major international operator, has publicly referred to plans for a gaming component, subject to regulatory approval.
- Ongoing policy design– As of late 2024, no land‑based casinos are yet operating in the UAE, and the final shape of any future gaming offer remains under discussion.
What makes the UAE especially interesting is its proven track record in building high‑end, well‑regulated tourism ecosystems. If and when casino gaming is introduced, it is likely to be carefully integrated into premium resorts, strongly supervised, and closely aligned with the country’s vision for responsible, sustainable growth.
How countries balance tourism and tradition
Across all the exceptions in the Middle East and North Africa, one theme stands out: casinos are never treated as stand‑alone, mass‑market entertainment with no boundaries. Instead, they are framed as specialised, tightly controlled products that must work in harmony with local values.
The main tools governments use to strike this balance include:
- Targeted access rules– Many jurisdictions restrict casino access to foreign passport holders or apply minimum age and identification controls to protect vulnerable groups.
- Strict licensing and oversight– Licences are typically limited in number, subject to detailed suitability checks, and monitored for compliance with anti‑money‑laundering and responsible gaming standards.
- Location controls– Casinos are usually located in resort zones or specific entertainment districts rather than in residential neighbourhoods.
- Integration with broader development goals– Governments position casinos as part of wider strategies for tourism, urban regeneration, or economic diversification, not as isolated revenue sources.
For policymakers, this approach helps ensure that the positive impacts of casinos – jobs, tourism, investment, and tax receipts – are delivered in a way that respects community expectations and cultural norms.
Key benefits of well‑regulated casinos in the region
Where casinos are permitted and properly regulated, they can act as powerful economic and strategic tools. The most significant benefits include:
- Tourism competitiveness– A high‑quality casino can help a destination stand out in a crowded global market, especially when combined with beaches, culture, shopping, and events.
- Higher visitor spend– Casino guests often stay longer, book premium accommodation, and spend more on food and beverage, wellness, and entertainment.
- Foreign direct investment– Integrated resorts require substantial capital investment in hotels, conference centres, marinas, and infrastructure, stimulating wider economic activity.
- Job creation and training– From dealers and pit bosses to IT, marketing, and security, casinos support a diverse range of skilled roles and management careers.
- Formalisation of existing demand– Where players might otherwise turn to unregulated or offshore options, legal casinos bring activity into a supervised, taxable, and safer environment.
In the Middle East context, these benefits are particularly attractive for countries seeking to diversify beyond hydrocarbons, stabilise public finances, and position themselves as resilient, experience‑driven economies.
Online gambling: cautious approaches and emerging debates
While this article focuses on land‑based casinos, it is impossible to ignore the rise of online gambling globally. In most Middle Eastern jurisdictions, online casinos and online sports betting are either explicitly prohibited or operate in a legal grey area where they are not licensed domestically but may still be accessible via international platforms.
Some of the key considerations shaping regional discussions on online gambling include:
- Enforcement challenges– Digital platforms are harder to control than physical venues, leading to complex questions around jurisdiction and technology.
- Consumer protection– Without local licensing and oversight, players may be more exposed to unfair practices or lack of recourse.
- Opportunity costs– When domestic demand is channelled offshore, countries lose potential tax revenues and the chance to shape standards.
For now, most Middle Eastern states remain cautious, but as global norms evolve, some may explore tightly regulated online models that mirror the controlled, tourism‑focused approach seen in land‑based casinos.
What this means for investors and hospitality brands
For international investors, operators, and hotel groups, the Middle East’s landscape of casino bans and exceptions offers both challenges and high‑potential niches.
Successful strategies typically share several characteristics:
- Deep respect for local culture– Leading brands invest time in understanding religious, social, and political expectations, designing products that fit within them rather than pushing against them.
- Partnership with local stakeholders– Joint ventures and strong relationships with governments, regulators, and local businesses are essential to secure and maintain licences.
- Focus on integrated experiences– Gaming is positioned as one component within a compelling mix of rooms, dining, wellness, shopping, and entertainment.
- Commitment to responsible gaming– Clear policies on player protection, staff training, and monitoring are no longer optional; they are core to long‑term licence security and brand reputation.
For those who can align with these principles, the region’s permitted casino markets – and any new integrated resorts that may emerge – offer a chance to build flagship properties with global visibility.
Outlook: selective growth, not unlimited liberalisation
Looking ahead, the Middle East is unlikely to transform into a region of widespread, casual gambling. Instead, the most probable scenario is one of selective, carefully curated growth, centred on a limited number of destinations that use casinos and integrated resorts as targeted tools for economic development.
Several trends are worth watching over the coming years:
- Further refinement of regulations– Countries with existing casinos, such as Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia, may modernise and strengthen their regulatory frameworks to align with international best practice.
- Progress in the UAE– The implementation of a federal gaming authority and the development of integrated resort projects will shape the region’s benchmark for regulated, luxury‑oriented gaming.
- Rise of non‑gaming attractions– Even in markets that never legalise casinos, investment in entertainment, culture, sports, and family tourism will continue to grow, sometimes inspired by the integrated resort model but without the gaming component.
For governments, the central goal will remain constant: harness the economic and tourism advantages associated with casino‑style entertainment, while protecting social cohesion and preserving deeply held values. For investors and operators willing to work within those parameters, the Middle East offers a distinctive landscape of opportunity where each market tells its own story between prohibition and carefully managed exception.
