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Main Provisions of the Gambling Ordinance in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021, alternatively known as the UAE Penal Code, is a placeholder regulation until the UAE becomes a country that can precisely release safe casino gaming. Issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, this law came into effect in 2022. The major provisions of this law are as follows:
Defining Gambling
The law clearly understands gambling as a state of agreement where losers are bound to pay predetermined amounts to the winners.
Penalties for Gambling
According to the law, it is unsafe and unethical to engage in gambling, which is punishable by imprisonment until further notice. Unless the government finds effective ways to conduct commercial gaming more safely, the careless engagement of people in these activities remains punishable and unacceptable.
Provisions related to Lost Property
Article 454 of this law states that a person who unethically obtains someone else’s possessions that have been lost due to unethical gambling practices is to face prison time as well as fines.
A good look at the way these laws work in the context of casinos shows that the UAE is largely against unethical conduct in gambling. The government is currently in discussions to allow casinos to follow their standards of conduct and safety. Since casino gaming is a widely renowned activity, it is safe to say that the masses are only able to access casinos internationally in the online format. Online casinos with valid licensing from neighboring or other countries are good sources to avail these activities from when there are no local counterparts to resort to.
