Why is gambling illegal in Qatar?

Qatar is an Islamic country where religion does not allow people to participate in any forms of gambling. Hence, all gambling-related activities in the country are considered illegal.

Are online casinos blocked by the government?

The government owns a system that is designed to block online casinos and all other sites that are prohibited in the country, but it is not as nearly as effective as envisioned. That is why many Qatari players access online casinos quite regularly.

What is the legal age for gambling in Qatar?

Gambling is illegal in Qatar, hence there is no specific legal age for this activity.

Is gambling a popular activity in this country?

Even though gambling is illegal in Qatar, these activities are extremely popular. Players are fond of registering at online casinos and there are tons of illegal gambling dens that are often visited by the residents.

Are there any penalties for playing casino games in Qatar?

The government states that all people that are caught gambling can face a fine of up to 6,000 Riyals. Depending on how severe the crime is, they may even be facing up to 6 months in prison.

Who regulates gambling in the country?

Gambling in the country is not regulated by a specific authority because it is considered illegal. The government is the general regulatory body.

Is the Riyal accepted as a payment method at online casinos?

The Riyal is not accepted at many online casinos. But, since Qatari players can exchange currencies easily, this does not prove to be a big problem.

Are fees applied when withdrawing money from online casinos?

Whether fees are applied for withdrawals, depends on the online casino. Some may charge fees, but a majority of the sites don’t. It also depends on the chosen method. E-wallets are known to come with withdrawal fees.

What are the most popular casino games in Qatar?

The most popular gambling games in Qatar are betting on camel races, horse races, greyhound races, and sports betting. Additionally, poker and slots are also extremely popular. Since the lottery is the only legal form of gambling, it too deserves a mention.

Is lottery legal in Qatar?

Yes, the lottery is the only form of casino game that is legal in Qatar. It is organized by Qatar Duty Free.

Best Online Casinos in Qatar: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

Online casinos in Qatar

Qatar, or as it goes by its official name, the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, and it occupies the small Qatar Peninsula. This country is classified by the UN as a country of a very high income and one that ranks extremely high in the Human Development Index. Even though Qatar is pretty small, it wields pretty massive influence in the world, and it is labelled as a middle power state.

When it comes to its borders, the sole land border that Qatar shares is with Saudi Arabia to the south. The rest of its territory is surrounded by the Persian Gulf. The Gulf of Bahrain is what separates Qatar from Bahrain. When it comes to the population, Qatar has an estimated 2.8 million residents, with Islam being the most dominant religion.

There isn't a single sector or industry that is not well-developed in this country. The country has the third-highest GDP in the world, has the highest Human Development Index in the Arab world, Qatar is a World Bank high-income country and has the world's third-largest gas and oil reserves. Thanks to its expanding media group, Al Jazeera, and its wealth, Qatar managed to become a significant power in Asia and the world.

Quick summary on gambling in Qatar

Since Qatar is an Islamic state, all forms of gambling in the country are considered illegal. The residents are not allowed to visit land-based gambling facilities, nor go online to register and play their favorite casino games. The only legal gambling game in the country is the state lottery, which is organized by Qatar Duty Free.

Even though there are no legal casinos, poker facilities, or bingo halls in the country, the residents are extremely fond of the idea of gambling, which is why this industry thrives in the underground world. The interesting fact here is that the government has very strict regulations when it comes to gambling as people who are caught doing this activity can face up to several months in prison.

Not only that, but Qatar's government states that they have a system that is designed to block all online casinos that are offering their services in the country. However, this system has proven not to be as efficient and as effective as thought, which is why many Qatar residents register and play at these sites. The government is also not able to pursue and prosecute the players that access online casinos to play the latest games.

History of gambling in Qatar

Qatar’s gambling history does not have too many details. As stated earlier, this is an Islamic country. Gambling in all Islamic countries is illegal since it goes against their religion and beliefs. The only type of activity that is connected to gambling and was once considered legal in the country was camel racing.

Betting on these races was extremely popular and people were known to earn up to six figures from a single race. But, since Qatar was facing a lot of backlash and criticism from the rest of the world for hosting these events, they made them illegal, as well. In 2003, the country was even facing many sanctions. It was stated that the sport was too cruel because many young children were involved, and they even acted as jockeys in many races.

As a solution to the problem, one Swiss company offered to manufacture robots that will be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions in Qatar and act as jockeys for the races.

As time went on, gambling regulations did not change in the country, but since online casinos started rising, numerous residents started accessing and registering at these sites to play the latest casino games. That is why the government came up with a system that will block all sites of this character, but the system proved not to be efficient and effective because many Qatar players were still visiting online casinos regularly and without any difficulties.

Gambling nowadays in Qatar

These days, gambling is still illegal in Qatar, but the players do not seem to care too much. There are tons of underground dens that act as gambling facilities and the residents are more than open to visiting them and playing their favorite casino games.

More so, since the government’s blockage system has proven not to do its job, many players register at online casinos and play the latest games daily. Many Qataris even go to sports book sites and wager on numerous sports such as football, horse racing, greyhound races, and the aforementioned camel races.

Future of online casinos in Qatar

Considering the fact that Qatar is an Islamic country, it is very unlikely that the law will change in this country. After all, their religion prohibits them to legalize any type of activity that is considered gambling. However, the residents are very likely to continue gambling illegally.

Reports say that the number of illegal dens where various casino games, including poker, roulette, baccarat and betting will continue to operate. Not only that but since the people are very fond of this activity, it is likely for the number of these facilities to increase over time.

As for online casinos, the government is doing everything that it can do, but it is proved not to be enough, which is why this industry will continue to flourish, as well.

Are Casinos Legal in Qatar?

Qatar is an Islamic country; hence all forms of gambling are illegal. Religion prohibits the authorities to make this activity legal. According to the Islam faith, all forms of gambling are against their beliefs, hence they must not be legal.

Underground Dens

But, even though gambling is strictly prohibited in the country, many Qataris are still fond of casino games. That is the reason why so many underground dens where poker tournaments, bingo games, betting, and casino games are being held. Many residents go to these facilities to try their luck regularly.

Not only that, but they are also fond of online casino gaming. The government has a system that is designed to block all sites that are considered prohibited, but it is not very effective in its line of work. That is why Qataris gain access to online casinos very easily. More so, the government cannot penalize online casino operators because they are off-shore sites and do not belong in their jurisdiction, so these sites are more than welcome to offer their services to Qatari players.

But, since online gambling is illegal and the government does not support it, players that decide to go online and enjoy the latest casino games do that at their own risk. There are many unlicensed sites that roam and it is up to the players to make sure that they do not leave their personal information at a scam site, since they can get robbed of their money.

The only legal form of gambling in the country is the state lottery, which is conducted by Qatar Duty Free.

Regulation Laws and Authorities

Gambling laws in Qatar are very simple and short. The Decree Law of 2004 regulates all these activities. In articles 274, 275, 276, and 277, it is explicitly stated that all forms of gambling are illegal and all those who are caught in these activities will face pretty strict penalties.

Players who participate in illegal gambling activities can be fined between 3,000 and 6,000 Riyals. Not only that but depending on how severe the crime is, they can even face prison time between three and six months. The state does not prohibit the use of VPNs, but they are considered illegal if they are used to access unauthorized sites like online casinos.

There is no strict authority that regulates land-based and online gambling because it is prohibited. Speaking of online casinos, it was mentioned that even though it is illegal, players are still accessing these sites, but at their own risk.

Since there are a lot of unlicensed sites that have the potential to be scam sites, Qatari players are always on the lookout for sites that are licensed by some of the world’s most reputable game providers. These regulatory bodies include the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

Qatari players favorite games

Qatari players are extremely fond of gambling, regardless of the fact that this activity is illegal in the country. So, there are tons of games that are considered as favourites. But, the number 1 spot probably goes to camel racing.

As stated earlier, betting on camel races has been allowed by the government, until the point where Qatar was facing sanctions due to the fact that the sport was considered extremely cruel. Even though it was flagged as illegal many years ago, Qatari players still enjoy betting on these races.

Betting

Betting on horse racing, greyhound races, and sports is the second most popular activity in the country. Most of the sportsbooks and gambling facilities that accept bets are underground and illegal, and it can be difficult to find them, which is why Qatari players usually go online. Online sportsbooks and casino sites that feature betting have tons of available categories and numerous betting options at their disposal.

When it comes to pure gambling, poker and slots are the most popular games for the players in this region. They are the key to many rewards. Poker games have massive prize pools, while slots, especially progressive ones, can have jackpots that exceed several millions of dollars.

The lottery also deserves a mention as this game is the only legal form of gambling in the country.

Game Providers

When Qatari players visit online casinos for a good gaming experience, they are always looking for reputable game providers as they supply online casinos with tons of quality games. With that being said, some of the brands that Qatari players search for are Yggdrasil, Nolimit City, Quickspin, Playson, Play’n GO and NetEnt.

Bitcoin Games

With the rise of Bitcoin, Bitcoin games have gained a lot of popularity. They can only be accessed by making a deposit with this cryptocurrency. Qataris are known for investing in everything that is innovative and profitable, hence they are open to using Bitcoin. That is why these games have become somewhat popular in the region.

Most preferred casino bonuses in Qatar

The number one most preferred casino bonus in Qatar is the welcome bonus. This package is available to all newly-registered players at online casinos. The bonus in the package varies from one site to another, but in most cases, players are rewarded with match deposit bonuses and Free Spins.

The Free Spins are used on selected slots by the online casino and they allow the players to play for real money rewards, without the need to deposit any money. They can also withdraw their winnings after they meet the wagering requirements. Free Spins can also be offered as standalone bonuses.

Lastly, all bonuses connected to betting are extremely adored by Qatari players since betting on camel races, horse races, greyhound races, and sports betting, in general, are the most popular gambling-related activity. These bonuses include sports welcome packages, cashbacks, and Free Bets.

How to claim these bonuses

To claim all of the aforementioned bonuses, players must be first registered at a selected online casino. When registering, Qatari players must make sure that the online casino of their choosing is legal. The best way to do that is to check whether the site is licensed or not. Licenses are usually displayed at the bottom of the casino’s home page.

Welcome Bonuses

To claim welcome bonuses, players must make their first deposit at the selected online casino. The deposit amount varies from one casino site to another, but in most cases, it is between $10 and $20.

Free Spins and Free Bets

As for separate bonuses like Free Spins and Free Bets, all players have to do is log in on a specific day. It is worth mentioning that Free Spins can only be used on selected slots by the online casino. The case is the same with Free Bets. In most cases, they are limited to the sports category in which they can be used.

Cashbacks

Cashbacks are mostly given weekly. The player must have a minimum loss amount on specific games to claim the cashbacks. The percentage varies. In many cases, the higher the player is on the loyalty program of the casino, the better the percentage will be.

Finally, it is worth noting that some online casinos may require the player to enter bonus codes, contact the Support team, or both before they can claim any bonus, whether that be one of the aforementioned bonuses or any other bonus at the chosen casino site.

The best way to check how to claim these bonuses is to go to the casino’s Promotions tab.

Payment methods in Qatar

E-wallets are the most popular payment methods in Qatar as they are far subtler than credit and debit cards. Considering the fact that gambling of any kind is illegal in Qatar, the players do anything they can to protect themselves and make sure that they are not penalized by the government. Some e-wallets that are often used are PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. It is worth noting that e-wallets often come with fees on withdrawals and they can be considered ineligible for claiming bonuses at many online casinos.

Considering the fact that there are tons of illegal gambling dens in the country when it comes to land-based casinos, cash is also a very popular payment method in the country. It is untraceable and it allows players to play casino games while making it harder for the government to track them.

Less popular payment methods in Qatar

Although credit and debit cards are among the most popular payment methods in the world, that is not the case in Qatar. Since these methods leave obvious traces and can easily lead back to the people, they are not used too often. As stated earlier, there are severe sanctions for those players that are caught gambling. They can be fined with up to 6,000 Riyal or face a prison time that can be as long as 6 months.

In the recent period, Bitcoin even became a commonly chosen method. The reason why this cryptocurrency is used is that it is not controlled by banks – its focus is peer-to-peer. That means that the transactions are much safer and there is no way for the government to track the players through online payments. Not only that, but Bitcoin provides the players with a certain level of anonymity, which greatly increases their security and makes it even more difficult for Qatar’s government to track them.

Bitcoin also has several advantages over regular payment methods – deposits and withdrawals are instant, security is at a greater level, and players gain access to unique Bitcoin games when using this cryptocurrency as a payment method.

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