Qatar casinos are unregulated and unlicensed. In fact, as a country partially based on Islamic law, online gambling is illegal in all forms. But there are still Qataris who want to play casino games, and there are safe ways to do so, especially when it comes to regulated offshore casinos. Read our full guide to find out everything you need to know about Qatar online casinos.
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Gambling In Qatar
Like other conservative Islamic countries, gambling, in general, is frowned upon, and it’s the same when it comes to Qatar casinos. That’s why all the online casinos for Qataris are based abroad.
Within the Quran, there are a number of verses that prohibit gambling, except for camel and horse racing. But like in other countries where there are strict gambling restrictions, there remains a Qatari gambling market. Just because gambling is banned in the country and there are no local online Qatar casinos doesn’t stop players from logging into the foreign sites.
Qatar Legal Gambling
In short, no. Under Articles 274-277 of the Qatar Penal Code, the country does allow prize drawings. This usually comes from Qatar’s banks and is based on deposits and investments. Some of the popular draws include Al Ahli Bank’s MyHassad and Mashreq Bank’s Mashreq Millionaire. The draws are the opportunity to win prizes for being loyal bank customers.
Raffles are also popular, particularly the big Qatar Duty Free from Qatar Airways where, for US$260 per ticket, you could win cash prizes in excess of US$1 million.
Under local gambling laws in Qatar, football fans can bet on their favourite teams.
That aside, you won’t find online Qatar casinos, but if you’re keen to play your favourite online casino games, it’s better to gamble discreetly using a secure and trusted VPN.
Even though gambling is forbidden in the country, many Qataris love casino games, and that’s why there are plenty of underground dens where bingo, betting, casino games and poker tournaments are played. While the government has designed a system to block online Qatar casinos, it’s not that effective. What’s more, authorities cannot penalise online casino operators who are not based in the country.
However, since online gambling is illegal, players that decide to play at international Qatar casinos do so at their own risk. That’s why we only recommend licensed sites that are regularly audited for fair gameplay and payouts.
Licence and Jurisdiction
The 2004 Decree Law of Qatar regulates gambling activities, with several articles explicitly stating that all forms of gambling in the country are prohibited. Anyone found gambling will face harsh penalties in the form of fines between 3,000 and 6,000 Riyals. There’s even the chance of 3 to 6 months in prison.
That said, the state does not ban the use of VPNs, even though they’re considered illegal when used to access online casinos. But players continue to access sites at their own risk. There are plenty of illegal and underhanded operators out there, but we only recommend licensed online casinos for Qatari players.
Qatar casinos based offshore should hold reputable licences from the likes of the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, Alderney Gambling Control Mission and the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures fair gambling practices and safe, secure sites when it comes to your sensitive information and your money.
Qatar Sports Betting
Betting on greyhound and horse races is a popular activity in Qatar. But most facilities and bookmakers that accept bets are illegal, underground operations. That’s why many punters turn to overseas, regulated sportsbooks and Qatari casinos, where there are plenty of betting options.
Online Casino Bonuses
Qatar casinos that accept players from the country offer up an exciting array of bonuses and promotions to entice you to join and keep playing.
The welcome bonus is especially favoured. This offer is for new players who sign up and make a deposit, and it’s often the largest bonus you’ll get from an online casino, usually in the form of a match deposit bonus and free spins.
Besides that, there are plenty of special deals to look forward to, such as reload bonuses, cashback and loyalty perks that reward you the more you play.
FAQ
No, the mostly Islamic country does not allow any form of gambling, including online casino games.
Yes, if you’re caught gambling by the Qatari government, you could face a fine of as much as 6,000 Riyals and even time in prison.
No, you’ll need to use another currency, such as EUR, GBP or USD. Your funds will automatically be converted when you deposit at a casino.
The best way to keep safe is to use a reputable VPN service and even cryptocurrencies to keep your payments and gambling activities anonymous.
Yes, Qatar players can claim welcome bonuses, match deposit bonuses, free spins and more. Keep in mind that some payment methods aren’t eligible for bonuses.
You can play everything from video slots and baccarat to roulette, poker, Live Casino games, bingo and more.
The best online casino sites are those that are fair, legal and licensed by reputable gambling authorities, like the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission.
There are a few out there – all you have to do is log into the casino and choose Arabic from the list of available languages.
Casino Payment Options
| Popular Payment Method | How to Use It |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency | Qatar banned crypto trading in 2020 to prevent digital monies from being used to fund terrorism. It’s even illegal to trade crypto within Qatar's borders. That said, with a secure VPN, it is possible to gamble at Qatar casinos with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and in fact, recommended if you want to keep your gambling habits under wraps. |
| E-wallets | All the best Qatar online casinos accept e-wallet payments. Neteller, PayPal, Skrill and other e-wallets make setting up your casino account, funding it and withdrawing your winnings easy enough. Interestingly, QNB is the only bank in Qatar that accepts PayPal transactions. |
| mPay | This is a mobile payment method courtesy of the Qatar Islamic Bank. You can link your local bank account to your mobile device and send money to and from your online casino accounts. |
| Ooredoo Money | Another trusted mobile wallet that allows you to send and receive money using your mobile device. You can download the app for free and send Riyals at decent exchange rates. |
Currency Exchange Rates
Unfortunately, with the way things are around online gambling, the Qatari Riyal is not accepted at offshore online Qatar casinos. You’ll need to choose another banking method, such as EUR, GBP or USD. This also means that you’ll need to account for conversion fees.
You won’t need to convert the funds yourself. This is done automatically when you make a deposit at an offshore casino. Your casino account balance is then updated with the equivalent displayed in your preferred currency. The top-rated offshore Qatar casinos don’t charge currency conversion fees, but your preferred payment method might do so, so it’s best to check before you make a decision.
Deposits to online casinos are typically instant, while withdrawal processing times depend on which payment method you choose.
Responsible Qatar Gambling
As there aren’t any legal provisions for gambling in Qatar, you’ll need to use a trustworthy and secure VPN to access the best offshore casinos. The same goes for online sportsbooks.
What’s more, there are no responsible gambling authorities in the country, but the casinos we review and recommend all offer an array of responsible gambling tools to keep your spending and gaming in check. These include:
You don’t need to waste time trying to find the best Qatari online casinos. We’ve done that for you. We’ve only recommended reliable operators that offer:
Conclusion
As technology enhances, so too will gambling features for players from Qatar, and while gambling is currently illegal in the country, online casino sites based in other countries won’t shy away from modern software developments.
There has been a great deal of talk around virtual reality being the next big thing, and that means that Qatari players will soon be able to play VR games at their favourite offshore Qatar casinos.
Cryptocurrencies are sure to grow in popularity, too, with more and more online casinos accepting digital currency deposits and withdrawals with added layers of security and anonymity. We’ll also see more Live Casino games, immersive slots and so much more.
It’s not likely that legislation in the country will change anytime soon, but with the help of secure VPNs and discreet payment methods, Qatar players can access all the best international online casinos.
