Casinos in the Middle East – Countries, Casinos & Gaming Developments

Casinos in the Middle East present a very different picture from one country to another. While conventional casino gaming remains unavailable or heavily restricted in several parts of the region, established land-based casinos can be found in countries such as Lebanon and Egypt. Looking at the wider Arab world, Morocco also has a long-established casino sector.

The regional landscape is changing as well. The United Arab Emirates now has a federal commercial gaming regulatory framework, and Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is being developed as a licensed integrated resort with land-based gaming.

For this reason, it is no longer accurate to describe gambling across the Middle East simply as either permitted or prohibited. Laws, licensing systems, entry requirements and the availability of casinos differ substantially between individual countries.

The Arab Casino Directory brings together information about important land-based casinos and gaming developments across the region.

Middle East Casinos and the Arab World – An Important Distinction

The terms Middle East and Arab world are often used interchangeably in casino searches, but they do not describe exactly the same geographical area.

Morocco, for example, is located in North Africa rather than the Middle East, yet it forms an important part of the Arab world’s land-based casino landscape. Egypt connects North Africa with the wider Middle Eastern region, while Lebanon and the Gulf states form part of the Middle East itself.

This guide therefore looks primarily at casinos in the Middle East while also including important Arab casino destinations in North Africa where they provide useful regional context.

Which Arab Countries Have Land-Based Casinos?

There is no single Arab casino market. Some countries have operated conventional land-based casinos for decades, while others have no comparable casino sector.

Three of the most established examples are Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco, although the legal and operational model is different in each country.

Country	Land-Based Casino Situation
Lebanon	Established casino gaming, particularly Casino du Liban
Egypt	Casino gaming available at licensed tourism establishments, with restrictions on Egyptian nationals
Morocco	Established casinos in tourism destinations including Marrakech and Agadir
United Arab Emirates	Federal commercial gaming framework; licensed land-based gaming development in Ras Al Khaimah
Dubai	No confirmed licensed conventional land-based casino
Saudi Arabia	No conventional legal land-based casino sector
Qatar	No conventional legal land-based casino sector

Casinos in Lebanon

Lebanon has one of the best-known land-based casino venues in the Arab world: Casino du Liban.

Located in Maameltein, north of Beirut, Casino du Liban has a long history and offers conventional casino gaming across different gaming rooms.

Its game selection includes familiar international casino games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and poker-based table games, together with slot machines and other electronic games.

Casino du Liban is particularly useful when discussing Casinos in the Middle East because it demonstrates that conventional casino gaming in the region is not a new phenomenon.

Blackjack and Table Games at Casino du Liban

Casino du Liban publishes information about its table games and individual gaming rules. Blackjack, for example, is available in several gaming rooms with different table limits.

The casino’s published Blackjack rules include a 3:2 payment for a natural Blackjack and specify how the dealer plays the hand, together with conditions for doubling and splitting.

Roulette, Baccarat and other traditional table games form part of the wider gaming offer.

Casinos in Egypt

Egypt represents a different casino model. Land-based casino gaming exists, particularly in major tourism and hotel destinations such as Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh, but access is subject to specific legal restrictions.

Casinos are commonly associated with international hotels and tourism establishments rather than operating as a widespread domestic entertainment industry.

Egyptian law places restrictions on casino gambling by Egyptian nationals, making the country’s casino sector particularly oriented toward eligible foreign visitors.

Casinos in Cairo

Cairo has several casino venues associated with major international hotels. Depending on the individual establishment, games can include Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, poker-style games and slot machines.

The hotel-casino model is an important characteristic of the Egyptian market. A casino visit is often part of a larger hospitality environment that can include accommodation, restaurants and other hotel facilities.

Casinos in Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is another important Egyptian casino destination because of its international tourism industry.

The city has casino venues connected with the resort and hotel sector. One example covered by our directory is the Aladin Casino.

Visitors should check the current operating status, opening hours, games and entry requirements of individual casinos before travelling specifically to visit a particular venue.

Casinos in Morocco

Morocco is geographically part of North Africa rather than the Middle East, but it is one of the most important land-based casino markets in the wider Arab world.

Casino gaming has an established presence in tourism destinations such as Marrakech and Agadir, with venues offering familiar international games including Roulette, Blackjack, poker and slot machines.

This makes Morocco an important part of any broader discussion of Casinos in Arab Countries.

Casino de Marrakech

Casino de Marrakech is one of Morocco’s established land-based casinos. Located at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in the Hivernage district, it has been part of the city’s entertainment scene since 1952.

The casino offers traditional table games, poker and electronic gaming. Its poker activity is particularly notable, with the venue having hosted a number of international poker events over the years.

Its long history also makes Casino de Marrakech an interesting contrast to the much newer integrated-resort developments now emerging elsewhere in the region.

Grand Casino La Mamounia

Marrakech also has Grand Casino La Mamounia, another established land-based gaming venue.

Its gaming selection includes traditional table games such as Roulette and Blackjack as well as slot machines and electronic gaming.

The presence of more than one established casino makes Marrakech particularly relevant when examining casino tourism in the wider Arab world.

UAE – A New Commercial Gaming Landscape

The United Arab Emirates represents one of the most significant changes in the regional gaming landscape.

Older descriptions frequently grouped the UAE together with Gulf countries where conventional commercial gaming is prohibited. That description no longer reflects the full regulatory picture.

The UAE has established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), creating a federal framework for regulated commercial gaming.

The regulatory framework covers different gaming categories, including land-based gaming facilities and internet gaming.

This does not mean that casinos are automatically permitted throughout the UAE. Individual gaming activities and operators require the appropriate authorization, and developments in one emirate should not automatically be applied to another.

Wynn Al Marjan Island – A New Chapter for Casinos in the Middle East

The most important physical casino development in the Gulf is Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

The operating entity behind the project has received authorization for a land-based gaming facility, turning what was once largely speculation about casino gaming in the Gulf into an actual regulated resort development.

Wynn Al Marjan Island is being developed as an integrated resort rather than simply a standalone casino. Plans combine gaming with approximately 1,530 rooms and suites, restaurants, bars and lounges, retail, entertainment, a theatre, spa, beach facilities and other resort amenities.

The resort is expected to open in 2027.

Its importance extends beyond Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn Al Marjan provides the first major real-world example of how regulated land-based gaming can form part of a modern integrated resort within the UAE.

Is Wynn Al Marjan Island in Dubai?

No. Wynn Al Marjan Island is located in Ras Al Khaimah, not Dubai.

This distinction matters because searches for casinos in Dubai and casinos in the UAE frequently overlap. Dubai is the UAE’s best-known international tourism destination, but the licensed land-based gaming development is in another emirate.

Dubai itself currently has no confirmed licensed conventional land-based casino.

What About Casinos in Dubai?

Dubai has virtually all the characteristics normally associated with a major international resort destination: luxury hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, beaches, sporting events and large-scale entertainment.

A conventional licensed casino, however, is not currently part of the city’s established tourism offer.

The presence of international hospitality companies that also operate casinos elsewhere in the world has repeatedly generated speculation about future Casinos in Dubai. A hotel or resort being associated with a casino company does not, however, establish that gaming has been licensed at the property.

For that reason, confirmed gaming projects should be distinguished from hospitality developments and speculation.

What About Saudi Arabia and Qatar?

The changes taking place in the UAE should not be interpreted as evidence of a common Gulf casino policy.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not currently have conventional legal land-based casino sectors comparable with Morocco or Lebanon.

Both countries have invested heavily in tourism, hospitality, sport and entertainment, but these developments should not be confused with the introduction of conventional casino gaming.

The situation in each country therefore needs to be considered independently rather than assuming that regulatory changes in the UAE will automatically be followed elsewhere.

Popular Games at Casinos in the Middle East

Where conventional land-based casinos operate, their gaming floors generally feature many of the same internationally recognized games found in casinos elsewhere.

Common examples include:

• Blackjack – available at casinos including Casino du Liban and venues in Marrakech;
• Roulette – one of the standard table games at many established casinos;
• Baccarat – available at a number of larger casino venues;
• Poker – including cash games, poker-based casino games and tournaments;
• Slot Machines – available at many conventional casino properties; and
• Electronic Gaming – including electronic versions of traditional casino games at selected venues.

The precise game selection, table limits and opening hours differ between casinos and can change over time.

Casino Resorts and Hotel Casinos

One of the more useful ways of understanding Casinos in the Middle East is to look at the different types of venue rather than assuming they all follow the same model.

Egypt has a strong hotel-casino connection, with gaming facilities frequently located within major hotels serving international visitors.

Morocco combines casinos with established tourism and nightlife destinations. Casino de Marrakech, for example, forms part of the wider Es Saadi Marrakech Resort environment.

Lebanon’s Casino du Liban operates as a major dedicated entertainment and gaming venue.

Wynn Al Marjan Island introduces another model: the large-scale integrated resort combining accommodation, entertainment, restaurants, retail, leisure facilities and regulated gaming.

These examples demonstrate why there is no single “Middle Eastern casino” format.

Casino Entry Requirements in the Middle East

Entry requirements vary by country and individual casino.

Visitors may need to consider:

• minimum age requirements,
• passport or official identification,
• nationality or residency restrictions,
• casino registration requirements,
• dress codes, and
• individual gaming-room access rules.

It is therefore better to check the requirements of the individual casino rather than assume that one minimum age or entry policy applies throughout the region.

This is particularly important in Egypt, where nationality restrictions affect access to casino gaming.

Land-Based Casinos vs Online Casinos in the Middle East

Physical casinos and online casinos should be treated as separate subjects.

A land-based casino operates at a particular physical location and under the laws and permissions applicable to that venue.

An international online casino, by contrast, may hold a gaming licence in another jurisdiction and make its website available in several languages, including Arabic.

That international licence does not automatically authorize the online casino in every Middle Eastern or Arab country.

Players should therefore distinguish between:

• where the casino operator is licensed,
• where a physical casino is located,
• which countries an online operator accepts, and
• whether using the service is permitted under the laws applicable to the player.

Online Gaming in the UAE

The UAE is again a special case because its federal commercial gaming framework includes internet gaming as a regulated category.

This means older descriptions of UAE online gaming as simply a question of accessing international websites are no longer sufficient.

International licensing and authorization within the UAE are separate matters. Holding a foreign gaming licence does not automatically provide authorization to offer gaming services within the UAE.

Casinos in the Middle East at a Glance

Destination	Example / Situation	Key Point
Lebanon	Casino du Liban	Established land-based casino gaming
Cairo, Egypt	Hotel casinos	Casino access subject to nationality restrictions
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt	Tourism and hotel casinos	Gaming connected with international tourism
Marrakech, Morocco	Casino de Marrakech / Grand Casino La Mamounia	Established North African casino destination
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE	Wynn Al Marjan Island	Licensed integrated resort with land-based gaming under development
Dubai, UAE	No confirmed conventional casino	Major tourism destination without a confirmed licensed land-based casino
Saudi Arabia	No conventional legal casino sector	Tourism and entertainment development should not be confused with casino gaming
Qatar	No conventional legal casino sector	No comparable land-based casino market

Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming measures differ between venues and regulatory systems.

Depending on the casino, measures can include information about gambling risks, self-exclusion procedures and restrictions intended to help visitors control their gambling activity.

Casino du Liban, for example, provides information about responsible gaming and self-exclusion.

Visitors should also decide in advance how much they are prepared to spend and should not treat casino gaming as a reliable way to make money.

The Future of Casinos in the Middle East

The future of Casinos in the Middle East is no longer purely a matter of speculation because one major change is already taking place.

Wynn Al Marjan Island represents a new integrated-resort model for the Gulf and will provide a real example of how regulated gaming can operate alongside luxury accommodation, entertainment, restaurants, retail and tourism in the UAE.

What happens elsewhere is less certain.

Dubai has not confirmed a conventional licensed casino, and developments in Ras Al Khaimah do not establish that other emirates or Gulf countries will adopt the same approach.

For that reason, future developments are best followed through confirmed licences, regulatory announcements and individual resort projects rather than assumptions that a wider regional casino expansion is inevitable.

Casinos in the Middle East FAQ

Are there casinos in the Middle East?

Yes. Conventional land-based casinos operate in parts of the region, with Lebanon and Egypt providing established examples. The wider Arab world also includes an established casino sector in Morocco.

Which Arab countries have land-based casinos?

Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco are among the most notable examples, although their laws, entry requirements and casino models differ considerably. The UAE now also has a federally regulated commercial gaming framework and a licensed land-based gaming development in Ras Al Khaimah.

Does Lebanon have casinos?

Yes. Casino du Liban is an established land-based casino north of Beirut offering traditional table games, slots and other gaming.

Does Egypt have casinos?

Yes. Casino gaming is available at licensed tourism establishments, particularly in destinations such as Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh. Access is subject to legal restrictions, including restrictions affecting Egyptian nationals.

Does Morocco have casinos?

Yes. Morocco has established land-based casinos in tourism destinations including Marrakech and Agadir. Casino de Marrakech and Grand Casino La Mamounia are two examples in Marrakech.

Is there a casino in the UAE?

The UAE has established a federal commercial gaming regulatory framework. Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is being developed as a licensed integrated resort that includes land-based gaming.

Is there a casino in Dubai?

Dubai does not currently have a confirmed licensed conventional land-based casino. Wynn Al Marjan Island is located in Ras Al Khaimah, not Dubai.

When will Wynn Al Marjan Island open?

The integrated resort is expected to open in 2027.

Are casinos legal throughout the Middle East?

No. Laws differ substantially between countries. The existence of legal casinos in Lebanon, Egypt or Morocco does not mean that the same rules apply in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE or other jurisdictions.

Can locals enter Middle Eastern casinos?

This depends on the country and casino. Some venues permit eligible local visitors, while other jurisdictions impose nationality or residency restrictions. Egypt is an important example where restrictions apply to Egyptian nationals.

What games are available at Middle Eastern casinos?

Depending on the venue, games can include Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, poker, slot machines and electronic gaming.

Casinos in the Middle East – A Region of Different Casino Models

Casinos in the Middle East cannot be described through one common set of rules or one typical casino experience. Lebanon has a long-established major casino, Egypt operates a tourism-oriented casino model, and neighbouring North African Morocco has established casinos in destinations such as Marrakech.

The UAE is now adding something different to this landscape. Its federal commercial gaming framework and Wynn Al Marjan Island development introduce the integrated-resort model to the Gulf on a scale not previously seen in the region.

At the same time, Dubai has no confirmed conventional licensed casino, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue without comparable land-based casino sectors.

These differences are precisely why individual countries, licences and venues matter more than broad assumptions about “Arab casinos” or “Middle Eastern casinos”.

The Arab Casino Directory provides information about individual land-based casinos and gaming developments, allowing readers to explore these differences in greater detail.

18+ | Gambling laws vary by country. An international gaming licence does not automatically permit gambling in every jurisdiction. Players should check their local laws before using any of the offers listed above. Please play responsibly.