Best Sports Betting Sites in the United Arab Emirates

Table of Contents

Like other Muslim countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) still hasn’t welcomed legal online betting. However, the country has been making progress in legalizing gambling in recent years. Soon, it’ll be possible to find legit and locally licensed sports betting sites, and until then, this guide will lead you to the best offshore options.

Online sports betting is currently prohibited in the UAE under Federal Penal Code No. 3 of 1987. In a surprise twist, the government took a bold move in 2023 by establishing the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). While still under the works, the body will provide a framework for regulating betting platforms in the state.

While we wait for further developments, it’s still possible to sign up with offshore bookmakers if you’re in the country. All you have to do is ensure they’re legit and secure. I have researched the market to pinpoint licensed and regulated international betting operators that welcome UAE punters. You’ll find them on this page.

Full List of United Arab Emirates Betting Sites

The United Arab Emirates consists of 7 emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Al Quwain, and they all have one thing in common – gambling and betting are illegal. This, however, shouldn’t surprise anyone, knowing that the UAE is a Muslim country, and like many other Muslim countries, it isn’t too fond of gambling.

As a result, you won’t find any locally licensed sites, so you’ll have to take your wagers elsewhere. Thankfully, there are plenty of international platforms accepting punters from your state, and our list includes some of the best ones.

While these are not fully legalized by the local law, there’s no regulation stating they’re illegal either. Some of the most prominent offshore operators you can access from the country now are bet365 and 1xBet.

Considering all this, we took things into our own hands and reviewed some of the best international bookies. Here’s our shortlist with detailed overviews of each:

BetWinner

BetWinner website screenshot

BetWinner is the place to be if you’re looking for localized bankroll displays and offers. You can get a 100% boost on your first deposit of up to AED 396, as well as some other juicy boosts.

For instance, joining a Free Bet club will bring you weekly free bets. There’s also a weekly cashback of up to 25% on select events. As the cherry on top, it’s one of the rare few operators that have dedicated Android and iOS apps with HD live streams.

Pros Cons

1Win

1Win website screenshot

1Win has the most generous sign up offer in all of the UAE, giving you a 500% sign up boost on your first few deposits. Besides that, it’s also a great place for online punters with more than 50 different sports you can stake on.

It also has a dedicated mirror site for local wagerers, which is highly appreciated in terms of safe access. As the finishing touch, it’s a platform with loads of free bets and weekly boosts.

Pros: Cons:

Megapari

Megapari website screenshot

Megapari combines the best of our previous picks with a decent, 100% sign up offer of up to 360 Dirhams. It also comes with a fixed 3% weekly cashback on all sports wagers.

The site has a dedicated mobile app that can be used on both Android and iOS devices. Plus, it’s a great platform for following up on live streams of popular sports events, including the UAE national team’s football matches.

Pros: Cons:

SpinBetter

SpinBetter website screenshot

At SpinBetter, you’ll get to do things your way with a fully customized mobile interface. The site enables you to access a mobile-first view and save up on some storage space as there’s no need to install the app.

You can use it to take on other UAE bettors and enroll in competitions with weekly prizes. That way, you can win free bets and other promotional rewards to rack up your balance.

Pros: Cons:

Rolletto

Rolletto website screenshot

Rolletto is a great place where casino players and betting fans can enjoy the same gaming experience. It gives you a similar boost of up to around 400 Dirhams on sign up, as well as a complete welcome package on multiple deposits that grows up to around 4,000 Dirhams.

Besides, it has a Curacao license and features exclusive boosts like the 3+1 free bet and Acca boosters. With 24/7 support and tailored betting bonuses, it deserves a spot on our list.

Pros: Cons:

FreshBet

FreshBet website screenshot

At FreshBet, you can get a 100% sign up bonus of up to around 1,600 Dirhams, although the site doesn’t let you use Dirhams as a currency. It’s mainly in GBP, which is why we’re giving you the closest estimate of the bonus value.

Regardless of that, it’s a great place for Esports bettors with over 15 different sports and leagues you can stake on. It also has an amazing 75% football cashback on select events, so it ranks pretty high in terms of wagering bonuses.

Pros: Cons:

GoldenLion

GoldenLion website screenshot

At GoldenLion, you can get a massive 400% boost on your initial few deposits. It’s one of the biggest deposit bonuses we’ve seen along with 1Win, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Along with the massive sign up offer, the site also has special boosts for those who predict exact scores on football matches. Plus, it grants exclusive crypto boosts, so if you’re a holder, you shouldn’t miss this one.

Pros: Cons:

Wazamba

Wazamba website screenshot

For those looking for the most user-centric site with an intuitive design, Wazamba checks all the right boxes. It’s a platform with the fastest mobile loading rates for the odds, which can be especially important if we’re talking live betting.

On top of that, it has some in-house bonuses you’ll only find here. Among them, we’d point out offers like weekly free bets, early payouts, and unique sports jackpots.

Pros: Cons:

bet365

bet365 website screenshot

As one of the most popular sportsbooks worldwide, bet365 has arrived on the UAE scene, and it provides a welcome free bet of around 40 Dirhams. It’s just a little something to get you started, and once you’ve used it, you can move on and claim other boosts like 120 Dirhams for new users.

With HD streams of popular events and over 40 sports to choose from, it’s the most convenient bookie on this list, not to mention its instant payouts with dedicated e-wallets.

Pros: Cons:

Now that you’re familiar with our top 10 picks, it’s about time we get into some head-to-head clashes. We know that each and every one of you is looking for different things in a bookie, so we’ve compared them by their key categories, like available bonuses, sports, and wagering options overall. Take a peek at the table below to see which one makes the most sense for you.

How to Sign Up With Online Betting Sites in the UAE

Signing up with online betting sites in the UAE is tricky since you have to approach it via mirror links or a VPN. But once you gain access to any of the bookmakers, signing up for an account is very simple.

Step 1: Visit a Sportsbook

Before you sign up with an account, you need to find a bookie that accepts bettors from the United Arab Emirates and visit the sportsbook’s website. Then, you can navigate to the “sign up” or “register” buttons and start the registration process.

Step 2: Register Your Details

When registering with any betting websites in the UAE, you’ll have to provide your username, password, and email address. Other personal information required might include your full name and other details like your date of birth. Most offshore platforms do not require lengthy and overly detailed KYC procedures, so you can keep your information private.

Once you’ve completed the registration, you’ll receive a verification link to your email. Simply click on it, and you’ll be ready to join your new account.

Step 3: Deposit Funds

With an account set up, you can log in and make your first deposit. The deposit methods will vary depending on which site you’re using. But in any case, you won’t be able to use transfers from local banks or credit cards.

They’re still not fully legitimate for online wagering transactions, so you can choose a safer alternative like e-wallets and crypto instead.

Step 4: Place Your Bet

Once you have your account ready and money deposited, all that is left is to place your first bet. To do so, you’ll have to navigate to the “Sports” section, find the event or league you wish to punt on, and add it to your bet slip. From there, enter your stake amount and click to confirm.

Step 5: Account Verification Before Withdrawing

Before withdrawing money from betting sites in the United Arab Emirates, you’ll have to complete the KYC verification to confirm your identity. While you’d usually have to provide some personal details, including your ID, for that, it’s not required on all platforms from our list.

If required, the KYC process can take a couple of days to complete, so it’s advisable to complete it as soon as you set up your account. This way, you can verify your account beforehand and withdraw your winnings without the added hassle.

How We Rank the Top UAE Betting Sites

Since there are no legal bookmakers in the UAE and no regulatory body that would oversee online betting and keep local punters safe, it’s crucial to know how to filter through the offshore bookies. Here are some key pointers worth checking:

UAE Bet Bonuses & Promotions

Even though sports wagering is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates, you can find bonuses in Dirhams on almost every platform we’ve listed. It’s just important to choose from a variety of sites and filter their offers to go with the most generous one.

The most common incentive is the welcome bonus, available on all online betting sites in the UAE. Still, it’s just the starting point, as there are many other promotions you’ll get to use.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus is the most common promotion, nowadays available on all sportsbooks. It can come in many shapes and sizes, but typically, it comes in the form of a matched deposit boost.

With it, the operator matches your first deposit with the website up to a certain percentage. For instance, if you make a €200 deposit with a 100% match rate, the company will grant you an additional €200 in wagering cash. However, it usually comes with some terms, such as the rollover requirement.

Bet and Get

Bet and get is exactly what it sounds like – a promotion that will give you a chance to activate a certain boost as soon as you’ve laid down your first wager. It’s usually specific to certain events, which is why such promotions are often referred to as “Specials.”

Deposit Match

As already explained, the deposit match bonus is one of the most common incentives across all UAE betting sites. It’s directly tied to your deposit and often presented with a percentage.

For example, if the sportsbook offers a 50% matched deposit bonus, and you make a 100€ deposit, you’ll get €50 in cash. This promotion is usually available to new and existing users, but it always comes with a rollover requirement.

Free Bets in the UAE

Free bets are another very common bonus available on sports betting sites in the UAE. Companies offering them will either give you a chance to place a bet for free or get a refund equal to your stake amount if you lose the bet you’ve placed.

For instance, an operator will reward you with a €20 free bet if you’ve mainly wagered with similar values before. Unlike the deposit match bonus, free bets typically have a 1x rollover requirement.

Betting Promotions

There are many types of promotions available on sportsbooks or even on any UAE bet app. They’re typically awarded during big sporting events or ahead of important games and can include many offers, from cashback, insurance bets, acca boosts, deposit match rates, or free bets.

Risk-free Bet

As already explained above, a risk-free bet is a boost allowing you to receive a refund from the operator in case of a losing punt. Instead of giving you free cash to bet with, it rather allows you to place a wager with your own money, and then receive the stake amount back if you don’t hit it.

Deposit Bonus

The deposit bonus is a reward that the sportsbook gives you if you make a minimum qualifying payment. The most common variant is the matched deposit, but it can also give you other rewards, such as free bets, cashback, or reloads.

VIP Program

VIP programs are among the rarest yet most valuable promotions available, mostly on big international sportsbooks. Some UAE bookies will have them available, mainly to award the most loyal punters.

With VIP programs, you’ll collect points based on your betting activity, and once you reach certain thresholds, you’ll receive various rewards. Those can include no-fee deposits and withdrawals, betting insurance, reload bonuses, matched deposit bonuses, and many more.

UAE Sports Betting Market Overview

⚖️ Is betting legal: No
📅 Sports Betting Legal Since: N/A
🏢 Regulatory Body: No
🧾 Taxation: N/A
⚽ Favorite Sports to Bet on: Football, horse racing, auto racing
🎰 Other Popular Gambling Markets: Lottery
⭐ Most Popular Sportsbooks: FreshBet, SpinBetter, Wazamba
🔞 Legal gambling age: 18

Bet of the Day for the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates punters have to jump through hoops to register with a sportsbook, but once you have your account set up, there aren’t any limitations. You can bet on whichever sport you like and use the exact same markets as anyone else, especially given the diversity of events you’ll find on our recommended bookies.

However, we’ve gone one step further to bring you sites featuring a localized gaming selection. We’ll also frequently update this section to keep you posted on the best events of the day, as well as point you in the right direction when it comes to platforms offering them at convenient odds.

Bet on Sports

Sports betting in the UAE is popular despite local restrictions, covering sports like football, horse and camel racing, cricket, and Esports.

So if you want to bet on sports, you can pick any of the available sports betting sites in the UAE and have the option to do so.

Football Betting in the UAE

Football is the world’s most popular sport and the go-to option of many online bettors. The same can be said for local punters in the UAE, and it’s especially the case when it comes to the domestic league.

With our picks, you can now wager on the UAE Pro League hassle-free and explore the best markets for staking on the national team. You can also find a variety of international football betting sites that accept local users, as well as offer competitive odds for popular tournaments like the UCL, the UEL, and the FIFA World Cup.

Horse Racing Betting in the UAE

Horse racing is an exception to the rule of betting being prohibited in the UAE, as it’s legal in some circumstances, granted only in the form of rattles. Nevertheless, it’s very easy to place a punt in that format thanks to a variety of markets accessible to native wagerers.

Cricket Betting in the UAE

Cricket is another sport that has attracted many UAE bettors and is one of the most bet-on sports in the country. Much like football or horse racing, cricket markets are available on some of the best sportsbooks in the UAE, covering local and international tournaments.

Betting on Camel Racing in the UAE

Similar to horse racing, camel racing is extremely popular in the UAE since it offers basically the same markets in a slightly different layout. Like many other countries in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates favors camel races as one of the most popular punting options.

Betting on Other Sports in the UAE

Besides football, cricket, and racing sports, bookmakers in the UAE also cover other sports. While it all depends on a specific bookie, you’ll be able to explore a wide variety of niche sports like ice hockey, water polo, bowling, darts, or even Esports.

Bet on Competitions

The most popular sports competitions in the UAE include the UAE Pro League, as well as major international championships like the Premier League, the NBA, NFL, MLB, and more. You’ll also be able to lay down your stakes on other prominent tournaments and contests, and we’ve handpicked some of the most popular ones below:

Formula 1 Betting in the UAE

Formula 1 punting is very popular in the United Arab Emirates, mainly due to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix held at the Yas Marina Circuit, one of the country’s biggest sports competitions. Even though the UAE doesn’t have any professional F1 drivers, the locals follow Formula One due to the easy accessibility of betting markets.

Esports Betting in the UAE

Over the last decade, Esports started taking over the online betting scene, and UAE follows that trend. That is mainly due to the heavy investments in the industry by Middle Eastern companies, so there are lots of local players and teams.

Over the last couple of years, the United Arab Emirates hosted some of the Esports’ biggest tournaments for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2. Nowadays, you can bet on Esports from any bookmaker, and we’ve included a few options like 888Starz with very competitive odds.

New Betting Sites in the UAE

Due to the heavy restrictions on online betting, not many bookmakers operate in the United Arab Emirates. But recently, we’ve seen the rise of new platforms that are set to compete against the big leagues of the industry, like bet365, 1xBet, and 10Bet.

The main thing all new betting sites in the UAE have in common is their way of attracting new bettors. They offer incredibly generous bonuses and sign up boosts, so it pays off to follow up on recently established platforms.

How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in the UAE

Knowing how to pick the best new bookies is crucial since not all of them are safe and legit. So, you can follow up on our team’s methodology to steer away from shady ones and focus on best-value sportsbooks:

Which UAE Bookmaker Has the Best Odds?

As already alluded, the only way to access the best betting odds is to have accounts with multiple betting sites in the UAE. That is because there is no single bookie with the best coverage of all the events and sports.

Wagering markets are highly volatile, and the odds constantly change, especially on sports and competitions with high liquidity. And since not all bookmakers are equally effective in adjusting their odds quickly enough, there will be odds discrepancies.

bet365 can have AC Milan priced at 2.10 to defeat Juventus, while 1xbet might have AC Milan priced at just 2.00. In this case, you would be better off going with the first one since even the slightest difference in prices means a lot for your potential profit.

Deposit Methods at the UAE Sportsbooks

If you want to bet in the UAE, you must do it with caution, and that includes picking the adequate deposit methods. The authorities do everything in their power to block access to online punting sites, and they surely deny all payments with credit/debit cards and bank transfers.

So, you’re better off using digital wallets and cryptocurrencies for safe and anonymous deposits. You can even use voucher-based methods like Paysafecard and Neosurf, which is yet another way of placing incognito bets.

Debit & Credit Cards

You should never use debit and credit cards to deposit money into your wagering account since they can easily be trackable. Remember – sports betting and gambling are illegal in the UAE, and you don’t want to get caught doing it.

E-wallets

E-wallets such as Neteller are the most popular payment methods among local punters. Like crypto deposits, they offer anonymous money transactions, but they’re not completely private like blockchain-based options.

Even so, they are fast and secure enough to be the closest alternative to credit cards and bank transfers.

Bank Transfers

Like credit and debit card deposits, you should avoid bank transfers altogether. On top of that, they’re the slowest possible option you could choose for withdrawals, as it often takes more than a few business days for transaction processing.

Withdrawal Methods at the UAE Sportsbooks

As the most anonymous payment method, crypto withdrawals are very popular among UAE punters. While they’re not widely available on just about any bookie, they are the best possible option due to instant deposits and withdrawals, extremely convenient limits for both high-rollers and low-rollers, and their overall safety.

Mobile Betting Sites & Betting Apps in the UAE

Most UAE bettors place their wagers from their phones, which is now possible on almost every single bookie. Operators like SpinBetter and Megapari offer dedicated apps you can download directly from their sites. However, it’s not necessary, as you can usually access the mobile version of the website without any downloads.

If you want to punt from your phone, you should consider using only sportsbooks that have the UAE bet app. Unlike a mobile website, the app is often far more stable, easier, and more convenient to use since it’s designed for the mobile user’s experience.

UAE Live Betting & Streaming

Live streams are essential for the fans of in-play betting in the UAE as they help you create well-thought-through wagers. You can use them to watch high-definition feeds and streams for major events, like UAE’s football national team’s matchups in the AFC Asian Cup.

But if you want to bet live efficiently, you need access to a sportsbook that has great betting markets and, most importantly, live game feeds. It helps place your punts quicker and enjoy an added layer of comfort by being able to watch the game and place new bets simultaneously.

International Betting Sites in the UAE

Online betting and gambling are prohibited in the United Arab Emirates, so the only sportsbooks that are available in the country are international bookmakers. That includes many big brands, such as 1xBet and bet365, which are great choices.

In contrast to domestic platforms, international sites tend to have better odds and market coverage. Over the years, more international bookies entered the local gambling sector despite the government’s attempts to block access to them. Since there is no tax for sports wagering in the UAE, operating in the country is very attractive to all sportsbooks.

Gambling and online betting in the UAE are prohibited in all forms, which is to be expected from a Muslim state. Among the main reasons for the lack of legal betting sites to use in the UAE, we’ve got the absence of the local gaming authority.

According to domestic law, all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited, as any content that goes against public morality, order, and Islam morality. The government also tries to ban offshore sites, but for now, you can safely join them and place your wagers.

You might have to use mirror links to access some, though. While it’s not completely legal to access international punting platforms, it’s not entirely illegal either. Think of it as a kind of grey zone that won’t carry any legal repercussions if you play your cards right.

Online Gambling Laws in the UAE

Since gambling and online betting in the UAE are prohibited, the United Arab Emirates has no laws or authorities that would oversee the industry. By the country’s law, all such activities are forbidden, and it seems things will stay that way for a while.

Even tourists who enter and bet will face fines or deportation if it’s a repeated offense. Sports betting in the UAE can sometimes land you in prison, but the strictest punishments tend to be reserved for only those who bet in land-based bookmakers.

Responsible Gambling Organizations in UAE

In case you are struggling with gambling issues in the UAE, several global companies and organizations may offer assistance and support.

How to Bet Safely Online in the UAE

Even though betting and gambling are illegal, there are ways to bet on sports in the United Arab Emirates. But you must do it safely and do everything you can to keep your activity under the radar.

Use a VPN to Bet Online

Using a VPN to access online betting sites in the UAE is the most common solution for bypassing restrictions on sites that are otherwise unreachable or banned. While this can help you access various bookmakers, it’s not the best choice.

Sportsbooks, whether in the UAE or anywhere else in the world, don’t like to see their customers using VPNs and can quickly flag or ban your betting account. So, the only way to access offshore bookies in the country is via mirror sites specifically designed for this purpose.

Select Discreet Payment Methods

Before you can start your UAE sports betting journey, you’ll need to make a deposit to your account. This can be complicated due to local restrictions, so you can’t use credit cards and bank transfers for this purpose. Still, we’ve outlined some safe options you can rely on, including digital wallets and crypto.

Trust Our Recommendations

Approaching betting in countries where gambling is illegal can be tricky, and you need the know-how to save you from issues and complications. In this article, we explained everything, from which payment options to use to the safest bookies to make your experience safer and more enjoyable.

The Profile of Bettors in the UAE

There is no data on the profile of bettors in the UAE since it’s impossible to tell who bets and who doesn’t, and the betting sites in the United Arab Emirates don’t make that data public. Typically, Muslim countries where betting is illegal have very few gamblers, and they are predominantly the younger crowd.

The History of Online Gambling in the UAE

Betting and gambling have never been legal in the UAE, and not many developments would make either of the two accepted. In 2012, the president issued a decree that established a regulatory mechanism for online betting, considered the most comprehensive cybercrime law in the Arab world.

It includes many rigid rules and laws for regulating gambling activities, such as the Internet Access Management policy. It specifies that internet service providers are obliged to decrease online resources offering gambling to locals.

The UAE Betting Overview

This concludes everything you need to know about sports betting in the United Arab Emirates. But before we leave you to it, here are some interesting facts about the country and its betting options:

Bottom Line

And just like that, our journey through the UAE’s online wagering scene comes to an end. We hope you’ve learned something valuable from this guide, and if you wish to bet these in-depth knowledge, take a peek at our detailed bookie reviews and other guides to get started off on the right foot.

Tim Harrison
AUTHOR
TIM HARRISON
BETTING GURU

Tim is our betting guru. Every gaming site needs one, and Tim’s our guy. He has plenty of experience in betting online and is quite successful at it. Tim’s favorite sports are hockey, baseball, and Esports. Tim believes the latter to be the future of betting.

FAQ

Can you bet online in the UAE?
Yes, you can bet online in the UAE, but you'll have to do it through international bookmakers since betting and gambling are prohibited in the country. As a result, there are no local UAE bookmakers.
Is online betting legal in the UAE?
No, all forms of betting and gambling are strictly prohibited in the UAE. However, it's still possible to bet online by using international bookmakers since the authorities focus more on land-based betting activities.
How do I know that new betting sites in the UAE are reliable?
The best way to ensure that a bookmaker is reliable and safe is to register with known betting companies and bookmakers with good reputations. Preferably you should avoid any shady bookies and those that aren't known in the betting world.
How can I deposit funds to my betting account in the UAE?
Depositing money into betting accounts in the UAE is tricky since betting and gambling are prohibited. The only and best options are E-wallets and crypto, which offer anonymity and help you stay under the radar.
How to bet and win in the UAE?
To bet and win in the UAE, you first need to have access to a solid bookmaker. Besides that, you need to learn the basics of sports betting and improve your research skills, so you can find solid betting opportunities.
Which is the best betting site in the UAE?
There is no single best betting site in the UAE, but there are many great options to choose from. Those include known international bookmakers such as 1xBet, BetWinner, and 10Bet.
How to bet internationally from the UAE?
To bet internationally from the UAE, you'll need a good VPN or use mirror links. Although both options work, mirror links are much better options since sportsbooks don't like customers using VPNs and could ban or flag your account.