How the UAE Gaming Market Shaped up in the Last Two Years

Beautiful sandy beaches, countless skyscrapers, police in Lamborghinis, enormous malls, flashy casinos…oh, wait? Casinos don’t come easily in the UAE, especially brick and mortar establishments.

Like many Arab countries, the UAE has strict gaming laws. Put simply, you aren’t allowed to bet on sports or play slots and poker in the Emirates. The rules are based on the Muslim religion, which believes gambling is immoral and harmful.

Fortunately, the UAE isn’t a vacuum. People have the Internet over there and that means they can get around local laws to bet at offshore betting websites. Here’s how that works.

Using a VPN to Change Server Address

The first thing people in Dubai and Abu Dhabi need to bet online is a VPN. An RDP or web proxy can also do the job. The objective is to shield your computer IP address so that you access the Internet as though you’re from a different country.

The best VPNs give you temporary IP addresses from any part of the world. As such, you could conveniently bet at sites based in the UK, Malta, Curacao or even the US. There’s one catch, though.

Not every betting site accepts players based in the UAE. So, before you create a new account, choose your gaming provider wisely. Some companies let you deposit money but refuse to payout your profits. As such, only bet at the best UAE casinos and sportsbooks.

Compare Games and Betting Markets

A few years ago, the only gaming operators that accepted players from the UAE were dodgy unlicensed companies. They had a limited number of betting markets and their casino games weren’t always fair.

Things have changed and now players from Dubai and Abu Dhabi can play at the world’s best bookmakers. These companies provide 2000+ betting markets daily and casino lobbies jam-packed with slots, live dealers and table games.

All the same, it’s still essential to compare betting markets from a few operators before you join any of them. Crucially, look for games you like to play. Let’s say you like Texas Hold’em, French roulette and in-play betting. Look around until you find a website with these games.

Bonuses

As mentioned, casino players from Dubai and Abu Dhabi can now use world-class betting websites. And that means they also qualify for a great range of bonuses. But how do you know which offers to accept and which ones to reject?

Look for no deposit bonuses. You don’t need to fund your newly created account to receive a free bet. And still, you can use it to win real cash. For bigger bonuses, however, grab a first-deposit bonus.

In many cases, deposit-based bonuses match your money 100%, 200% or 400%. That way, you get an impressively big bankroll. At some companies, you also get a reward on your second, third and fourth deposits.

But as mentioned, bonuses also need a close look before you claim them. Read their terms and conditions and accept offers with the best terms.

Banking Options

One of the biggest challenges of betting in Dubai is finding a bank that processes payments to sportsbooks and casinos. Gambling is illegal, after all, so most credit card companies and banks tend to reject these payments.

Fortunately, there’s a handful of safe alternatives. Skrill, Paysafe and Bitcoin are some of these safe banking options. Some betting websites also use non-gambling related terms to help people from the UAE pay through banks and credit cards stress-free.

Reputation

Reputation is like a currency in the online gaming world. The more reputable a company is, the more people invest in it. In contrast, people tend to avoid operators with poor reputations. Against that backdrop, join a company people trust.

Like customer service or finding great games, the key to finding a reputable bookmaker lies in reading reviews. They come in two types. You can compare casinos based on reviews by experts. Or you can compare companies based on how what customers say.

Reviews from experts give you an in-depth look of operators. On the flip side, user reviews help you understand people’s first-hand experiences.

Contact Channels

Another problem faced by players from the UAE is accessing customer service at sportsbooks. In the UK, people can use local contact channels or even visit a physical office for customer service

In the UAE, your best bet of getting quality customer service is to use top-rated casinos. That way, you can find 24/7 support through chatbots, email and phone contacts. Some operators also support social media.

And as such, you shouldn’t experience any customer service issues are the best-rated casinos. So, how do you find these companies? Read online reviews. People are generally honest when talking about past experiences with bookmakers. And for that reason, it’s easy to find companies that provide reliable customer support.