Countries Where It’s Illegal to Play Online Casinos

The gambling industry can be very profitable for a country, but if not treated cautiously, gambling can cause serious problems.

That's why many governments have a tough time deciding whether it's good or bad to have online casinos active.

Some countries have decided straight up that gambling is not good.

Many countries have therefore made gambling illegal, especially in Islamic countries.

Even though many people enjoy the gambling world and its benefits, the following countries have prohibited gambling altogether.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

This Middle Eastern country is one of the richest in the world, containing mesmerizing luxury.

But, no matter what, gambling and online luck-based games are prohibited here.

This law exists mainly because, according to Islam, it’s sinful.

Gambling on a ship is okay, as long as it’s sailing and not being anchored in the UAE.

The fine for gambling activities is a fine of two years in prison and 20,000 dirhams ($5.444).

Qatar

Similar to UAE, Qatar also strictly prohibits physical and online luck-based games.

As mentioned before, this restriction is due to religious reasons and not even horse riding races are allowed.

But, that doesn’t mean that both in the UAE and in Qatar, there aren’t illegal gamblings.

Mafia houses host casino games such as poker and communicate with the clients through text messages.

That's how the gambling business in the Middle East functions.

If you get caught, the fine is at least three months in prison and 3.000 riyals ($800).

Poland

In Poland, people love sports and enjoy participating in them, so the only legal gambling there is sports betting.

Everything else is banned, at least by private online casinos.

Kuwait

The first time a person is caught gambling in Kuwait will be sent to prison for three months.

If it’s repeated, it can be up to 2 years' worth of prison stay.

It’s a neighbouring country with the Islamic countries in the Middle East, and their beliefs are pretty much the same.

But, Kuwait hasn’t relaxed its laws, and it’s still as strict as it was in the past, unlike countries like UAE, which are more relaxed nowadays.

The Kuwait government is extremely stern with casinos, but when it comes to camel and horse riding, they aren't as prohibited because riding schools and instructors exist.

Because of that, we can say that racing is much more liberally treated.

Turkey

The gambling law was decided in 1998; everything is banned except for sports gambling.

It’s the same case in Poland.

The money fine is 35K Turkish lira ($6,700), and the fines can even lead to prison.

North Korea

North Korea is strictly against the gambling industry and doesn’t plan to support it any soon.

The locals are banned from gambling, and only the tourists are allowed to do such activities, and it's all regulated.

If you break the law, the penalty is 5M Wons  ($4.099), and a prison stay is possible.

Only a few countries don’t like this kind of activity.

There are various reasons behind these bans, but at the end of the day, it’s nothing scary as long as you do good research in case you’re planning to travel to some of these countries.