Sports betting is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, including in the UAE. The country has a long history of sports, with some, like Falconry, dating back over 2,000 years.
However, recently, we have witnessed the rise of new sportsbooks in the United Arab Emirates specializing in all your favorite disciplines, such as football, cricket, tennis, basketball, MMA, boxing, and so much more. Keep scrolling to discover the best bookmakers in the UAE that are currently dominating the betting scene.
Rank | Bookmaker | Rating | Bonus | Features | Get bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | N1 Bet | 4.8/5 | Free bet bonus of up to 1,000 euros on the first deposit |
| PlayRead review |
2 | Kingmaker | 4.8/5 | Welcome bonus up to $100 |
| PlayRead review |
3 | Boomerang Casino | 4.5/5 | 100% Welcome Bonus up to 390 AED |
| PlayRead review |
4 | Legiano | 4.9/5 | 100% welcome bonus up to €100 |
| PlayRead review |
5 | Sportaza | 4.5/5 | 100% Welcome Bonus up to USD 100 |
| PlayRead review |
6 | starda | 4.5/5 | 150% welcome bonus up to 540 AED |
| PlayRead review |
7 | BetBeast | 4.5/5 | Welcome Bonus up to 3500 AED |
| PlayRead review |
8 | Rabona | 4.5/5 | 100% welcome bonus of up to 150$ |
| PlayRead review |
9 | 22Bet | 4.5/5 | 100% welcome bonus up to 480 AED. |
| PlayRead review |
10 | 1xBet | 4.5/5 | Welcome Bonus up to 100 EUR |
| PlayRead review |
11 | 20Bet | 4.5/5 | Welcome bonus up to 400 AED |
| PlayRead review |
You have come to the right place if you are looking for a new betting site. This comprehensive list of legal bookmakers available in the UAE gives you multiple options to explore before you select the one that best suits your needs.
Online betting sites have revolutionized the way we wager on our favorite sports. Players don’t have to wait in line for hours to place a bet. Moreover, technology gives more people access to offshore sites, making the activity more accessible even in highly restrictive regions like the UAE.
Here is a list of the top bookmakers in UAE and what makes them stand out in the betting scene:
Currently, sports betting is prohibited in the UAE. This is because it is an Islamic country governed primarily by Sharia and Quranic laws, which view gambling as a sin.
The Penal Code regulates explicitly any form of sports betting, including traditional and modern methods. Gambling in the UAE can lead to a fine of 20,000 AED or imprisonment of up to 2 years for players and 10 years for those operating these sites.
However, UAE residents can bet using sites that are not operated in the country and thus don’t have to adhere to these rules. Offshore betting sites reduce the risk for players.
In 2023, a new body, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), was formed to regulate gambling in the region. The regulatory body consists of lawmakers, mostly from the USA, working to legalize gambling in the country to increase the GDP. This might change the future of gambling in the region.
🌍 Country | UAE |
🗣️ Language | Arabic |
💶 Currency | Arab Emirates Dirham (د.إ) |
⚽ ️Popular sports | Football, cricket, horse racing, golf, tennis |
⚖️ Is betting legal? | No |
🕵️♂️ Gaming Regulator | General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) |
📃 Gambling tax | N/A |
💳 Most popular payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill |
Several bookmakers are available in the UAE; selecting one from the many can be a hassle.
After reviewing different options, we narrowed our list down to 5 betting sites that stand out. We have done an in-depth review of each sportsbook, focusing on how they operate and their pros and cons.
N1 Bet is among the most popular choices for UAE bettors, and it is easily accessible using a VPN. The site is regulated by Curacao eGaming License No. 8048/JAZ2020-13 and was launched in 2021 by SoftSwiss.
In N1, you can bet on over 100 different sports, such as tennis, hockey, handball, football, rugby, and basketball. Bettors can access over 2,000 events daily in the pre-match category and 500+ in the live section. The platform also introduced simulated reality events for those who love live wagering.
N1 Bet uses SSL encryption to protect users’ personal and financial data. The platform supports multiple payment options like Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer, and Maestro.
In addition to the official site, N1 Bet allows users to set up a mobile shortcut. The in-play section allows you to follow live events.
🌐 Official Website | https://n1bet.com/ |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | 50% up to €200 |
⚽️ Sports | +30 |
💳 Payment Methods | Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer, and Maestro |
➡️ Minimum Deposit | €20 |
⬅️ Minimum Withdrawal | €20 |
Kingmaker was released in 2024 by Rabidi N.V. Despite being a new sportsbook; the platform has 37 sports to bet on.
Kingmaker’s odds are in decimal, fractional, and American formats. The odds for popular sports range between 88% and 94% and have a good margin for competitive markets. The odds in the live betting section are updated regularly, and you can place instant bets.
The platform offers a 100% welcome bonus. The catch is you must wager it at least 6 on single bets with minimum odds of 2.0 or multi bets with 1.50 minimum odds before the bonus can be converted to cash.
Unfortunately, Kingmaker doesn’t have an app, but the website is well-optimized for mobile users.
🌐 Official Website | https://kingmaker.com/en/ |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | 100% up to €100 |
⚽️ Sports | 34 |
💳 Payment Methods | Mastercard, Cryptocurrency, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, Zimpler |
➡️ Minimum Deposit | €10 |
⬅️ Minimum Withdrawal | €10 |
Boomerang Casino, license number 8048/JAZ, was established in 2020 by Araxio Development N.V., one of the iGaming corporations licensed by Curacao.
The site offers a 100% welcome bonus, valid for 30 days. It also offers cashback, accumulator boost, and weekly reload bonuses. The downside is that the requirements for these bonuses vary depending on the country, which we found very restrictive and confusing.
Overall, Boomerang Casino’s sports betting margin is very competitive, with an average of 6.8%, which gives players good odds. With over 30 different sports to bet on, including eSports and a variety of e-games such as e-Football, there is something for everyone.
The platform has a mobile shortcut for placing wagers conveniently from your phone.
🌐 Official Website | https://boomerang-casino.com/en/ |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | 100% up to €100 |
⚽️ Sports | 32+ |
💳 Payment Methods | Bank transfer, cards, cryptocurrency, Mifinity, Skrill, Neteller |
➡️ Minimum Deposit | €20 |
⬅️ Minimum Withdrawal | €20 |
Sportaza, developed by ButOn, is a relatively new bookmaker that was launched in 2020. It has over 30 sports to choose from. The live betting section features major leagues across all disciplines.
Sportaza is an excellent pick for UAE players seeking a thrill beyond ordinary betting. The site has weekly challenges and tournaments in which punters can participate to earn points and coins. The points can be used to buy cards, which can be exchanged for free bets or bonus money.
Players also have a chance to buy cards and get a €100 reward after collecting an entire team. Every card comes with a €5 free bet. Collecting 180,000 points allows you to win a trophy cup with a €5,000 reward.
🌐 Official Website | https://sportaza.com/en/sport |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | 100% up to €100 |
⚽️ Sports | 30+ |
💳 Payment Methods | Bank cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, Skrill, Neteller |
➡️ Minimum Deposit | €10 |
⬅️ Minimum Withdrawal | €10 |
Legiano entered the sports betting market in 2024 and is already competing with the bigwigs. It is a Philippine-based sportsbook licensed under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Legiano’s average margin is lower than 8%, which is favorable for players. The higher the margin, the more profit the bookmaker earns. There are 20 different sports to bet on. Compared to other betting sites, which often feature over 30 sports, Legiano’s sports selection is limited.
New users get a 100% welcome bonus upon signing up with a 5x wagering requirement valid for 30 days. The bonus should be used on odds of at least 1.50. Legiano also offers weekly cashback, a weekly reload bonus, and an accumulator boost.
🌐 Official Website | https://legiano.com/en/sport |
🎁 Welcome Bonus | 100% up to €100 |
⚽️ Sports | 20 |
💳 Payment Methods | Cryptocurrency, MuchBetter, Mastercard, Visa, Mifinity, Neteller, Skrill, Jeton |
➡️ Minimum Deposit | €10 |
⬅️ Minimum Withdrawal | €10 |
New betting sites are launched every day, and choosing one from the numerous options can be overwhelming. Worry not; we are here to help.
When reviewing betting sites for players in the UAE, our experts carefully examine parameters such as odds, security, bonuses, apps, and customer support. Keep reading to discover how each feature affects a sportsbook’s credibility.
Odds help us evaluate implied probability. We compare different odds across various sites to calculate bet sizes and potential payouts and find bookmakers offering attractive opportunities.
We also explore different betting markets, such as double chance, handicap, money line, total goals (over/under), or the specific number of goals. The different sports influence what you can bet on and the types of wagering opportunities.
Security and reliability are very important when evaluating bookmakers. The last thing we want is for your personal and financial data to fall into the wrong hands because you signed up for the wrong betting site.
Reliable bookmakers are licensed, have an SSL protocol for enhanced privacy and authentication, and have been verified by other players.
We pay special attention to generous welcome bonuses, especially for new users. In addition to the welcome bonus, we look at free bets, cashback offers, accumulator boosts, and a weekly reload bonus for existing players.
These factors influence our ratings because the more incentives players can get, the better their overall experience will be
Another important criterion we use to evaluate bookmakers is their adaptability to mobile devices. A mobile app makes a sports book available to users who prefer placing bets on the go.
If a betting site doesn’t have an app, something common with newer sites, we will test whether the website is optimized for smaller screens.
A good bookmaker should offer multiple payment options, including bank transfers, credit or debit card payments, e-wallets, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrencies. We also look for sites that accept popular payment options that the people in a particular country prefer.
For example, in the UAE, most people use credit cards to make purchases online. Therefore, we made sure that the sportsbook on our list accepted bank card payments.
Getting timely support is essential, especially for new players who are getting accustomed to a site. Our experts carefully research how easy it is to get assistance by evaluating the response time and channels players can use to contact qualified support.
Even though betting sites are still restricted in the UAE, new offshore bookmakers are entering the market. Here are some top new betting sites currently trending in the UAE:
All these sites offer a great betting experience for both beginners and seasoned players.
Bonuses are exclusive deals that betting sites offer players to increase their bankrolls or cushion losses. Most bonuses are offered in different stages depending on a player’s status. Let’s look at some of the offers you may stumble on when betting on sites in the UAE:
Bookmaker | Bonus offer | Advantages | Visit |
---|---|---|---|
50% bonus for the first deposit up to €200 |
| GET BONUS | |
Accumulator boost with up to 100% multiplier for over 21 selections |
| GET BONUS | |
10% weekly cashback from 00:00 UTC Monday – 23:59 UTC Sunday for losses of up to €500 |
| GET BONUS | |
100% refund money-back bonus, which applies to single, multi, and builder bets |
| GET BONUS | |
50% weekly reload bonus of up to €500 with an 8x wagering requirement for 1.50 odds or higher |
| GET BONUS |
Secure payment processing is very important to ensure your details are safe. UAE bookmakers have adopted several payment methods on their sites to facilitate easy deposits and withdrawals. Each method has a different transaction fee and deposit limit.
Below are some of the safe and secure payment methods that are popular at sportsbooks in the UAE:
Payment method | Type | Deposit Processing Time | Deposit Limits | Withdrawal Limits | Withdrawal Processing Time | Payment Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mastercard/Visa | Bank cards | Instant | €10 – €2,000 | €10 – €2,500 | 1-3 days | No Fees |
Bank Transfer | Wire | Instant | €10 – €2,000 | €50-€5,000 | 3-5 days | 15% |
Skrill | Online wallet | Instant | €10 – €2,000 | €20 – €4,000 | Up to 48 hours | No Fees |
Bitcoin | Cryptocurrency | Instant | €10 – €2,000 | €60 – €5,000 | Up to 1 hour | No Fees |
Neteller | Online wallet | Instant | €20 – €4,000 | €20 – €4,000 | Within a few hours | No Fees |
MiFINITY | Online wallet | Instant | €10 – €2,500 | €10 – €2,500 | Up to 24 hours | No Fees |
Jeton | Online wallet | Instant | €10 – €5,000 | €10 – €5,000 | 24 hours | No Fees |
Muchbetter | Online wallet | Instant | €10 – €5,000 | €10 – €5,000 | 3-5 Days | 2% |
Dogecoin, Litecoin, Tether | Cryptocurrency | Instant | €10 – €5,000 | €10 – €5,000 | Up to 1 hour | No Fees |
You must have an account before you can place a bet on a particular site. We have put together a step-by-step guide to help you create an account on the Kingmaker sports betting platform.
Since gambling is illegal in the country, you will need a VPN and a bookie who accepts players from the UAE before you can set up an account.
After setting up an account, the next step is to place a bet. Here are steps on how to go about placing your first wager:
Go to the “Sports” option on the homepage.
Choose the sport you want to bet on, for example, football.
Analyze the player statistics and the different odds.
Select the odds and your wager amount.
You can track your wagers by clicking “Bet” under each ongoing match
To deposit more funds into your account, tap the “+” icon at the top of your screen.
As discussed, registering on a UAE betting site is quite straightforward. Platforms like Kingmaker don’t require new users to undergo verification.
However, you must provide the accurate data for your phone number, physical address, and payment methods. Even though initial verification isn’t required, it is common for bookies to ask you to provide a photo as proof of identity when you want to make a withdrawal.
Betting sites offer unique opportunities and advantages for their players, such as mobile apps, live streaming, weekly tournaments, and virtual sports. Here are some major features our top-reviewed bookmakers offer:
Bookmaker | Live streaming | Live bets | Fast bet | Cash out | Virtual sports |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
✔️ (on selected events) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | |
❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Mobile betting is becoming increasingly popular in the UAE, where approximately 47.1% of people in the region engage in sports betting. Punters can easily place and track bets using their phones even when on the move, unlike using a PC.
According to TGM’s 2022 international report, 81.84% of people actively participating in sports betting use mobile apps. Although this report dates back two years, it shows how many fans prefer mobile phones over PCs.
Sports betting apps are time-saving since you can multitask. They offer a fast way to make transactions and are efficient.
As mentioned, bookies that offer mobile apps give their users added convenience compared to those who don’t. Let’s take a closer look at some betting sites that have apps.
22Bet has a mobile app for iOS and Android users that’s available on its official site. The app has a simple user interface, and you can easily access live and pre-match odds, tournaments, and the accumulator bets of the day.
Rank | Bookmaker | Rating | Bonus | Get bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 22Bet | 4.5/5 | 100% welcome bonus up to 480 AED. | PlayRead review |
Welcome bonus | How to download | Available on | Deposit methods |
---|---|---|---|
100% welcome bonus of up to €122 | 22Bet’s official website | iOS & Android | Cryptocurrency, Visa, Bank transfer, Mastercard, Payz and Skrill |
Established in 2007, 1xBet is a household name in many countries and is officially available in the UAE. From the app, you can view your betting history and live events, and scores and odds are updated regularly.
Rank | Bookmaker | Rating | Bonus | Get bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1xBet | 4.5/5 | Welcome Bonus up to 100 EUR | PlayRead review |
Welcome bonus | How to download | Available on | Deposit methods |
---|---|---|---|
100% bonus on your first deposit | From the official website, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store | iOS & Android | Jeton Wallet, eVouchers, 1xBet cash, and Cryptocurrency |
The Starda app is easy to use and packed with action. It features live betting and real-time updates.
The only downside, just like the website, is that there is no live streaming. However, you can keep up with live scores thanks to the fast-refreshing pages.
Rank | Bookmaker | Rating | Bonus | Get bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | starda | 4.5/5 | 150% welcome bonus up to 540 AED | PlayRead review |
Welcome bonus | How to download | Available on | Deposit methods |
---|---|---|---|
150% of the first deposit up to €100 | From the official website | iOS & Android | Bank transfer, cards, cryptocurrency, MiFinity, Skrill, Neteller |
Live betting, also known as in-game or in-play betting, is when you can bet on a game while it’s underway. It features various betting options, such as goals scored, halftime scores, and several yellow cards.
The main advantage of in-play betting is that it allows you to make decisions based on how the game unfolds in real time. Players love live betting because it is a good way to stay entertained and get more excited about the game.
Live streaming facilitates the real-time broadcast of a match and allows punters to watch a game from the bookmaker’s website.
This gives you the advantage of watching a game and tracking the odds simultaneously. The best part is it is free. More bookies are adopting live streaming to improve the betting experience.
The most popular sports punters pick to bet on in UAE are football, horse racing, golf, cricket, basketball, and Formula 1.
Here is a list of top sports bet options in UAE:
Another common sports betting option is camel racing, which is deeply rooted in Emirati culture but not available on most betting sites. The racing season takes place between October and April.
Soccer is a very popular sport in the UAE. Hence, the most sought-after wagers in the country are in line with the sport. Below are some famous bets leading bookies offer:
The odds vary from one bet to another depending on the sport and the match you are wagering on.
Online betting is a fun venture but can be challenging, especially for beginners. Here are some expert tips that will help you improve your betting prowess in no time:
These are just some of the few skills and strategies every new user needs to master.
More betting sites are embracing responsible gambling by adding features that help punters restrict their gambling activities. For example, sites in the UAE have a deposit limit that caps spending. Other features are the timeout notification and self-exclusion settings.
As a beginner, the first step towards responsible gambling is managing your bankroll. In simple terms, set a limit and avoid going over it. Next, avoid chasing your losses since this can lead to spiraling and eventually a gambling addiction.
Here is a list of organizations that offer help in dealing with harmful gambling patterns:
Practicing responsible gambling is something every player should do to avoid the negative consequences.
Yes, you can bet online in the UAE using a VPN. The country doesn’t allow any form of betting or gambling.
It is hard to tell whether the UAE will allow gambling. However, the founding of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) gives us some hope.
The best betting sites in the UAE include N1 Bet, Legiano, Sportaza, Starda, BetBeast, Kingmaker, Boomerang, 1xBet, and 22Bets.
No, Dubai does not have gambling establishments since gambling is illegal in the UAE.
Although this varies by operator, e-wallets are the fastest.