Popular Games Played In Arab Casinos

The Arab online gaming industry has since transformed over the years. Betting sites have partnered with top software developers, upscaling their game lobbies. While classic games have been the primary choice for a long time, newer alternatives are attracting interest from seasoned gamers because of their unique perspectives. Live dealer games and crash games are slowly gaining popularity among players.

History of Gambling in Arab Countries

The gambling industry in Arab countries has witnessed a notable transition over the years, from early civilisation to the modern era:

• Ancient era: Casting lots and dice games were the first gambling activities in early civilisations in Mesopotamia & Egypt. Arab tribes of the time also bet on camel races.
• The 1500s: In this era, Islam was established, and strict anti-gambling laws began to be enforced.
• From the 1600s to the 1800s: The Ottoman Empire came into power, and Turkish-influenced gambling games were brought to the Arab world. Underground gambling dens operated discreetly in major Arab cities despite the restrictions.
• From the 1800s to the mid-1900s: British and French rule introduced European gambling styles to several Arab countries. In 1959, the first legal Arab casino, Casino du Liban, was opened in Lebanon. Also, Egypt and Morocco started to legalise casinos for tourists.
• Modern era: Between the 1950s and 1970s, newly independent Arab nations reinforced Islamic laws, banning gambling activities. With the internet boom in the 1990s, Arab players started accessing offshore online casinos, bypassing the local laws. The 2010s to 2020s gave rise to VPN usage, increasing access to those gambling sites.

Backgammon, a strategic dice game, and Baloot, a trick-taking card game, were the first options in the Gulf region. When the European influence came, poker and blackjack were introduced. In the modern era, roulette and slots became major attractions at Arab-friendly gambling destinations.

💡 Did you know? Backgammon, one of the first gambling games in the Arab world, dates back over 5,000 years. It was originally played in Mesopotamia and later spread across the region. Today, it remains a beloved pastime in Middle Eastern cafes and homes.

Modern State Of Gambling in Arabia

Islamic law currently prohibits gambling in nearly all Arab nations. Some Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, have strict gambling laws with harsh penalties like fines, imprisonment, or deportation for expats. Arab nations have also blocked online casino sites, but some players use VPNs to connect to offshore platforms and cryptocurrencies to fund their accounts.

To date, Lebanon, Egypt, and Morocco remain the only Arab countries permitting legal gambling for citizens. The demand for online gambling is growing, and live dealer games are becoming increasingly popular. The rise of the Saudi football league is also influencing the sports betting market. For the future, the UAE & Saudi Arabia are exploring new tourism projects, which could possibly include entertainment hubs with relaxed gaming rules.

What is the National Game of the UAE?

Football is the national game in the UAE. Its massive following among citizens has made it deeply appreciated in Emirati culture. It has also caused the local league, UAE Pro League, to grow. However, there are other popular sports like jiu-jitsu, horse and camel racing. Horse racing is among the prestigious sports, and camel racing is an ancient Bedouin sport actively supported by the government.

Other Popular Games in the Gulf Countries

The other popular games enjoyed by players in Gulf countries include:

Traditional Games in Arabia

Traditional games still hold significance within the culture but are not necessarily listed in online casinos. For instance, Falconry has deep cultural roots, and involves training falcons to hunt prey. Saluki hunting involves the training of Saluki dogs (among the oldest breeds globally) for hunting. Al Dahna is a traditional board game that resembles chess and is played in Emirati gatherings.

Table Games in Gulf Countries

Table games are classic casino games that require strategy, skill, and luck to win. They have varying rules but typically follow the same playing formula: placing bets, making strategic decisions, and waiting for the outcome. Roulette, blackjack, and baccarat are the popular table games in Gulf countries.

Card Games in Arab Nations

Traditional card games in Arab nations include Baloot, Tarneeb, Trex, and Hand. They are played at homes and cafes and are not available in online casinos. Poker is predominantly the main card game played in offshore casinos by Arab players.

To win, you must achieve a better hand than the dealer, depending on the rules of the variation played. You can use tips like bluffing strategies to get better winning chances. Top poker variations include Texas Hold’em and Caribbean Stud Poker.

Live Dealer Games in Arabic

Live dealer games give a unique and authentic casino experience to Arab players. They deliver a real casino experience and interaction with real-life croupiers. They are powered by top game studios that use state-of-the-art technology to ensure quality video and audio streaming services.

Live game lobbies are especially important to this gaming market as they bridge the gap left by the lack of physical casinos in most Arab countries. Many online gambling platforms now offer Arabic-speaking live dealers to cater to this market. Live blackjack, live baccarat, live poker, and live roulette are the top live games.

Slot games in Arabic

Slot machines are very popular and widely played casino games. They equally attract Arab players because of their simplicity, fast gameplay, and big jackpot potential. Slots have exciting themes and bonus features such as bonus rounds, multipliers, scatters, free spins, and progressive jackpots.

Slots are competitive, and game providers develop unique titles inspired by movies, TV shows, and Middle Eastern folklore. Some of the Arab-themed slots include Book of Dead, Arabian Nights, and Aladdin’s Treasure.