The UAE has a complicated relationship with sports betting. While technically the activity is forbidden in the country, many individuals still love to gamble. We’re not here to judge either way. We’re simply here to bring you the very best betting sites in the UAE right now, and tell you exactly how to use them. Whether you’re native to the UAE, or living there as an expat, we’ve got some good news – there are a whole lot of ways for you to engage in online gambling. Plenty of international sportsbooks would love to have your business. Some have Arabic-language websites, and offer markets on popular local sports like camel racing. A handful even allow payments in dirham.
Read on to learn what markets and special offers are available to UAE bettors, how you can bet safely within the Emirates, and even how to boost your chances of making a profit.
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How We Rank the Best Betting Sites in the UAE
Despite the legal difficulties – explained in the next section – bettors in the UAE actually have a good number of sportsbooks to choose from. We’ve tested all of your legitimate options here, en route to picking our 10 recommended free betting sites. We did so according to a clear set of criteria, with these being a few of the key areas we concentrated on:
Live betting tools are a minimum requirement nowadays. Both placing and cashing out live bets should be quick and easy, allowing you to lock in the odds you’re being offered at any given moment. LVBet provides a fantastic example of exactly how this should be done. The biggest and best betting sites in the UAE will take things a step further. The likes of bet builders and pulse betting (executed brilliantly by Betiton) are common additional features, but some will also incorporate top-end features like live streaming.
One of the first things we check on any sports betting UAE site is its security measures. At a minimum these should include SSL encryption, modern firewalls, and a separation of customer and company funds. We also like to see 2FA and KYC checks in place. Ultimately, a bookie should also hold at least one license with a regulatory body, such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
A modern-day sportsbook should typically offer at least 20 different sports to bet on, with some. At a minimum these should include the biggest international sports like football, golf, and tennis. Horse racing is a little trickier to license, but can still be found easily enough. While it’s tricky to find bookies offering markets on sports specifically popular in the UAE, like camel racing, we’ve rewarded those like Rabona who cover leagues based in the Middle East for other sports, such as football.
Having a wide range of promotions is obviously attractive. Whether we’re looking at welcome offers or ongoing promotions though, the number one thing we evaluate for a deal is its value. In short, any qualifying requirements must be clearly justified by the rewards bettors are given. We also closely analyze the fairness of a bookie’s promotions. This involves scrutinizing the small print, and ensuring there are no hidden catches, such as high odds requirements, or overly-limited time frames.
Other Factors
Our rankings of betting sites in the UAE are based almost entirely on our own experiences. We still believe it’s useful, however, to check the opinions of others, in case there’s a common issue that we didn’t encounter ourselves during our testing.
To do so, we look into user reviews on websites like TrustPilot, the App Store, and Google Play. If we find comments from Emirati bettors specifically, then of course we pay even greater attention to these. During this research, we found the reputations for 10Bet to be particularly impressive.
The Best Betting Sites United Arab Emirates: A Closer Look
So, we have given you our list of the best things about the leading sports betting sites that are available for people in the United Arab Emirates, but shouldn’t we dig a little deeper? The more you know about our favourite sites for the UAE, the more concise the choice you will make when deciding which of the sites are most suited to your needs.
Here we go! Here are condensed reviews of all the sites that accept players from the United Arab Emirates that we consider to be the best.
While CobraBet falls into the ‘small enterprise but very good’ category, Rabona falls into the ‘large enterprise and very good’ category. This is a global-facing sports betting giant that’s willing to take on clients from all four corners of the planet, including United Arab Emirates. It has been an amazing success and what makes this success all the more staggering is that the Rabona online sports betting site has only been online since 2019. Not bad for a sports betting company that operates out of the tiny Caribbean territory of Curaçao.
There’s a very decent number of markets available at this online betting in UAE site, from the forty sports that are listed. The number one is soccer or football of course, followed by tennis and golf. Rabona is a global site that even attempts to seduce North American punters by having a good number of US sports markets available, including American football and basketball. One thing of note here when it comes to payments – Rabona is a site that allows you to manage your finances using cryptocurrencies.
What we like:
- International betting site with plenty of markets
- Live betting with cash out
- Over 40 sports covered
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Customer service available 24/7
What we don’t:
- No dedicated mobile app
- More non-crypto payment methods would be ideal
Snaking its way into our top list (see what we did there?) is CobraBet, which is a sporting betting in UAE site that has managed to squirm its way to number one. CobraBet is actually the sports betting brand of CobraCasino, which is an international-based UAE online casino that shed one of its skins in 2020 to allow CobraBet to come into existence. As CobraBet is one of those sportsbetting sites that seems to take customers from all jurisdictions, with the United Arab Emirates definitely being one of them.
CobraBet is a fantastic sports betting website and will particularly appeal to ex-pats in the UAE from Europe as the site seems to focus on sports that typically charm European sporting fans. Top of the CobraBet list is soccer, followed by cricket, rugby (union and league), tennis and basketball. This site also has a strong ‘in play’ feel but pre-event betting is possible too, of course. The eSports section is pretty nifty as well, with access to popular contests running for CSGO, LoL, Overwatch and others.
What we like:
- Leading brand for UAE betting fans
- Combo boosts – boosts your parlay bets/accas
- Plenty of payment options
- Live betting options are exceptional
- The online casino is pretty nifty too!
What we don’t:
- Customer support is lacking
A relative newcomer to the online sports betting industry, Lucky Block is licensed in Curacao and regulated by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. Despite being new to the game it’s rapidly growing in popularity all around the globe including in the UAE and it’s easy to see why.
This top sports betting site in UAE offers a diverse range of sports with more than 30 different sports available. Some of the highlights are football, cricket, basketball, and American football. All of these have incredibly wide markets with various betting types to choose from and highly competitive odds. The selection of eSports games is also noteworthy, with more than 15 of the most popular games and virtual sports on offer including fan favorites such as FIFA, Dota 2, Starcraft, and eCricket.
LuckyBlock players can deposit using eight cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. All of which have incredibly fast transaction times for deposits and withdrawals. Traditional card payment and wire transfers are also accepted at Lucky Block, as are Apple Pay and Google Pay.
It also has one of the best welcome bonuses around with new players automatically qualifying for a 200% welcome bonus and 50 free spins on Wanted Dead or a Wild.
The bonus is paid in 10 installments with a maximum of 10,000 EUR available to those who deposit 5,000 EUR (or crypto/fiat equivalent). The offer is valid only on the first deposit made in the casino, with the minimum deposit required 20 EUR.
So for example, a player who deposits 100 EUR will immediately receive free spins and 200 EUR in the bonus bank. And for every €600 you play for (win or loose), you get €20 paid out to your account from the bonus bank, until you have cleared the entire €200.
What we like:
- Huge range of sports
- Competitive odds
- Fast withdrawals
- Great eSports selection
- User-friendly interface
What we don’t:
- No racebook at present
New for 2023, Mega Dice makes a splash among the UAE crypto enthusiast sports bettors. With a well-stocked gaming larder that includes four odds providers and 86 game studios topped up with a high roller welcome offer, even the most select bettors are sure to find what they want here.
If you are into eSports, the offering is exciting as they offer odds backed by Betgenius and Oddin. So regardless of what match is running, you can find the best odds available at Mega Dice. And the rest of the 36 sports are safely covered by Betradar and giving you ample options for sports like soccer and baseball, but also golf and cricket.
The registration is fast, just as at Lucky Block, since it is a no-KYC casino that lets you register with a username, mail and password. And as an added benefit, you can easily use it with your VPN from anywhere in the world.
The one thing that detracts a bit is the time it takes to use credit cards and bank transfers on the site, as they take up to 2 bank days to clear. The crypto offering makes up for it. At least ten cryptocurrencies are available, and you can pay quickly with both Apple Pay and Google Pay. And for any crypto options, getting your funds transferred takes just 1 minute to an hour max.
The promotions section is a smart offering of activities during the week, including reload bonuses and free spin offerings.
What we like:
- Anonymous casino, no KYC hassle
- Instant payouts
- Generous Loyalty bonus scheme
- No withdrawal limits
What we don’t:
- No betting on horses currently
With over 27 sports markets available, WeltBet might not have the largest selection of sports betting markets. However, popular UAE sports and betting markets such as football is very well represented, along with a wide selection of International sports like cricket, Rugby and Snooker. Live betting is also available, with real-time odds and all the game lines you would expect to find.
UAE sports fans new to WeltBet can expect a good welcome bonus package that is 350% on your first 5 deposits up to C$3,500. Not a bad way to start out this new acquaintance.
Casual sport bettors can also take advantage of the online casino and live casino and catch one of their frequent promotions that covers the casino. Here you will find a credible selection of card and table casino games and a not-too-shabby selection of Jackpot slots.
The one thing that might feel a bit heavy is the mandatory 10x rollover on deposits, but for most bettors this is not an issue.
What we like:
- Offers cashback bonus on sports losses
- Huge welcome package
- Many banking options, including e-transfer and cryptocurrency
- Live betting options
- Deep markets available for football
What we don’t:
- The 10x rollover might feel a bit heavy on deposits
It seems as we move down our list, the bigger the online betting in UAE sites become. Betway is an absolute global leader and has been one of the biggest sports betting brands in the world for nearly two decades. It was launched in 2006 and holds over a dozen licences, not including the half-dozen or so statewide licences it holds in the United States. Betway is famous for the biggest payout of all time $20 million to a lucky dude in the UK playing Microgaming’s Mega Moolah slot.
That payout was of course via Betway’s online casino, so you are going to have to set a new record if you want a major payout from this gambling company’s sports betting side.
One question often asked of sportsbooks is ‘what can I bet on?’. This is an easy question to answer at Betway, as the answer is ‘everything!’. If it’s played and can be bet on, then you can bet on it at Betway, and that includes everything from football to pesapallo, and eSports too!
What we like:
- Leading global sports betting brand
- All sports covered
- Good promotions
- Easy deposits and fast withdrawals
- Brilliant in-play betting section
What we don’t:
- Mobile app not as good as desktop site
The story of Shangri La is similar to many other online betting in UAE sites – it was originally founded as a casino to which sports betting was eventually added. The Shangri La casino was created in 2017 but the sports betting arm was only added in 2022. Despite being a newcomer Shangri La has certainly gone ‘all in’, providing access to over 21,000 live sporting events on a monthly basis. The casino has a fair whack of sporting events with soccer and basketball being top of the list, which should come as no surprise.
Esports also receive brilliant levels of coverage at Shangri La, with dedicated markets for top events such as CS:GO, FIFA, King of Glory, Valorant, NBA2k and others. The site offers a ‘decent enough’ welcome bonus but reload bonuses are available too. If you like to mix up your sports betting with casino play then you will be very much in your element at Shangri La, as the attached online casino is amazing, with countless slots and casino games from an incredible amount of top providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT and Play’n GO.
What we like:
- Readily accepts players from the UAE
- Solid sports betting options
- Exceptional for eSports betting
- Online casino and live casino available
- Good customer services and regular bonuses
What we don’t:
- Not as many sports promos as casino ones
Cashalot is a sports betting site where obviously you hope you win a ‘lot a cash’. Although this site claims it’s one of the best sports betting sites in the world, we think this is too grandiose a claim, but at least it makes it all the way to number six on our ‘best sports betting in UAE sites’ list. This site is owned and operated by NewEra BV, an online betting company that’s based in Curaçao, and operates via a Curaçao licence. Cashalot has a very neat-looking sportsbook using the best sports betting software available and can be configured two ways – Euro view and Asian view.
Soccer is the top sport at Cashalot although there are plenty more sports available to place bets upon including basketball, tennis, ice hockey, American football, table tennis, horse racing, greyhounds and volleyball. There’s a good eSports betting section that covers FIFA, LoL, CS:GO, Valorant, Kings of Glory and Dota 2. You can easily watch eSports via the Twitch portal that’s available at the Cashalot.
Cashalot handles a lot of cash and has multiple payment options, including credit and debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, Klarna and others.
What we like:
- Neat-looking, easy-to-use sportsbook
- Live coverage of eSports events
- Good number of payment options
- Decent bonuses
- Online casino and live casino attached
What we don’t:
- Does not accept cryptocurrencies
After a couple of newbs in our list of the best 10 sports betting in UAE sites we come to another old soldier – 1obet. This sports betting platform has a long and reassuring history behind it, and has a welcome attitude to clients from the UAE. 10bet is available in countless jurisdictions all across the globe with over one million registered users globally. It has been online since 2003 and has licences from the UKGC (for UK players) and the Malta Gaming Authority (globally), plus licences for players in Sweden and Ireland.
While half the sites on our list began as a casino and added a sportsbook, 10bet is very much the other way around. The emphasis at 10bet has always been on sports betting and we do not reckon that’s likely to change any time soon. Football is the main player at this site, with tennis, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and handball also popular. The live betting section at 10bet is very, very good too, although eSports bettors may be disappointed by what 10bet can offer them, as well as those who want to maintain their account using a cryptocurrency.
What we like:
- Long-established name that’s been around since 2003
- Better average odds margin than most other sites
- Good mobile apps
- Reloads and other promotions usually available
- Boost your odds!
What we don’t:
- Esports coverage is a little lacking
Appropriately at number eight (and not number eight hundred and eighty-eight) we have placed 888sport. This is the sports book arm of 888, a Gibraltar-based gambling company that has grown to become one of the biggest in the world. It really is a complete all-rounder with sections for slots, casino, bingo and even poker. The company has been around since 1997, making it one of the longest-surviving online-only casinos available globally. It possesses several licences and if you are based in the UAE, then you will have no problem gaining an account here.
888 actually began life as ‘Casino-on-Net’ and was found by two sets of brothers. Casino-on-Net became 888casino and eventually 888sport was launched too. The site runs its own sports betting software and a very fine platform it is as well. 888sport is also known to be very generous and free bets and other promotions are a constant factor here. It has brilliantly competitive sports betting odds and truly exceptional sports betting apps for both Apple and Android. One other factor – if you are an all-rounder like 888 then you only need one account to access all of 888’s gambling offerings, and not a separate account for each platform.
What we like:
- Readily accepts UAE-based customers
- Has been around since 1997
- Always has a good number of decent promotions
- Easy-to-use sportsbook
- Great mobile apps
What we don’t:
- Live betting section could be improved
Back to a smaller sports book now, as at number four on our top ten list we find Bet O Bet. This is another Curaçao company with licences from Curaçao itself plus Cyprus too. When in comes to online betting in UAE sites the more licences a sports book has, the better! The emphasis at Bet O Bet seems to be on their casino offerings, so you might have to search around for their sportsbook but it is there, we promise! The sports section is split two ways as it is at other sports betting in UAE sites – live betting and pre-event betting. Both sections are very good.
Bet O Bet is very much ‘the new sportsbook on the block’ when it comes to sports betting in the United Arab Emirates or anywhere else for that matter. It only appeared online in 2020, so it’s quite remarkable that it has managed to progress so well in such a short space of time. One thing that may definitely appeal to sports bettors in the UAE who want to keep their sports betting activities private is that Bet O Bet is happy to accept deposits and process withdrawals in Bitcoin. Sadly though, this seems to be the only cryptocurrency that this sports betting site accepts.
What we like:
- A new site that’s gained a good reputation fast
- App available for Android user (not Apple though)
- Good promotions
- Fantastic casino options
- Live play section is very, very good
What we don’t:
- Only accepts Bitcoin as a cryptocurrency
Spinning in at number nine in the top ten online betting in UAE sites list we have Unibet. Like 888, this is another global giant, being founded in 1997 in London, although it has now moved its HQ to Malta. Unibet founded its first online site in 1999 and added a live betting service in 2003. It is now part of the Kindred Group, along with some other easily-recognisable brands such as Maria Casino, Stan James and 32Red. Unibet remains the flagship brand of the Kindred Group though, concentrating mainly on sports betting.
Unibet has a large number of licences and has successfully become a hit in the US, offering sports betting in a number of states including New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, Iowa and Arizona. People in the UAE should have no problem playing at the site (joining around 16 million users) because of the large number of licences it possesses. In terms of the sportsbook software Unibet has adopted a very minimalist approach which might not appeal to some as there’s a large amount of menu hunting if you want to find specific events. One added bonus at Unibet though – the site has live streaming of many leading sporting events.
What we like:
- True global brand with stellar reputation
- Has live streaming
- Over 16 million site users
- Extremely competitive odds
- Always has decent bonuses
What we don’t:
- Site design won’t appeal to all
Sneaking into our top ten list of the best online UAE betting sites (mainly thanks to the March 2022 demise of Spin Sports) we find Melbet. Although Melbet mainly offers its services to Asian, Middle Eastern and African customers, it is actually based in Cyprus. Despite having a Cypriot base, Melbet can only muster a Curaçao licence, which is something of a disappointment. This is though about the only disappointing thing about Melbet, as everything else about this site is truly exceptional including the mobile sports betting apps that are available for both iOS and Android users.
The main menu at Melbet has a smattering of all your favourites, including football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, table tennis and cricket. Esports coverage is pretty good too with access to the globe’s top video gaming events on a daily basis. The full A to Z list at Melbet is pretty impressive too, with sports as diverse as futsal, kabaddi and keirin (a sprint bike race). If you like an all-round gambling experience, then check out Melbet’s live casino, slots and toto sections too.
What we like:
- Speedy withdrawals
- Accepts some cryptocurrencies
- Decent bonuses and promotions
- Sportsbook is easy to use
- Simple registration process
What we don’t:
- Still finding its feet
Online Gambling Law in UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a devoutly Muslim country, and many of the country’s laws are based on traditional Islamic values. 
Betting is banned in Islam, and – as such – is heavily restricted in the UAE too. All gambling, and even advertising for gambling products, is almost completely forbidden in the country. The law (specifically Article 414) actually states that anyone caught gambling can be imprisoned for up to two years.
With all that said, the reality on the ground isn’t as scary as it sounds. For starters, it’s extremely rare that anyone is actually caught gambling online in the UAE. Even if they are, the punishment is almost always a fine, rather than actual imprisonment. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority – whose job it is to censor online activity – doesn’t currently ban any online free betting sites. There are even certain loopholes which allow you to place in-person horse racing bets within the Emirates, based on how the law specifically defines ‘gambling’.
In short, placing wagers within the UAE goes against the government’s wishes. There’s very little chance of you getting in serious trouble for doing so though, and you can further reduce your risk by reading our ‘How to Bet Safely Online in the UAE’ section below.
Welcome Offers at UAE Sports Betting Sites
Welcome offers are the main type of betting promotion you should target. While they only provide short-term rewards, the size of the bonuses you can get here dwarfs anything you’ll find from an ongoing deal.
Bettors in the UAE only have two main welcome offer types to choose from, but both forms can offer fantastic value. Let’s take a closer look at each in turn.
Deposit Match
This is – by far – the most common kind of welcome offer in the UAE. These deals are highly lucrative, but do come with strings attached.
As the name suggests, if you trigger these deals then the sportsbook will ‘match’ your first deposit. With a 100% match, for example, they’ll give you an extra $50 if you deposit $50. This match will come as a bonus – similar to a free bet – rather than as cash.
The upside here is that your spending power gets doubled immediately. The downside is that there will always be a ‘rollover requirement’, which must be completed before you can actually withdraw any bonus winnings.
You’ll find a full explanation of what this requirement involves in the next section. For now, these are the three best Deposit Match deals currently available in the UAE:
- Rabona – First Deposit Bonus $150 + $10 Free Bet
- WeltBet – 350% Welcome Bonus On Your First 5 Deposits Up To €3500
- 10Bet – 100% Match, Up to $100
Bet and Get
The rewards for Bet and Get offers aren’t as big as those for Deposit Matches. They are considerably easier to actually trigger, though.
To do so, you must place qualifying wagers totalling a certain amount. In return, you’ll be given free bet tokens, which can either be used for regular gambling, or put towards a no-risk matched betting strategy. If the offer is ‘Bet $10, Get $20’, for example, you must place $10 in real money wagers, and will be rewarded with $20 in free bets.
Compared to most other countries, you actually have a decent amount of choice when it comes to Bet and Get offers in the UAE. These are the three best such deals right now:
- 888sport – Bet $10, Get $30
- FansBet – Bet €20, Get €40
- LuckyBlock – 200% Bonus up to 10,000 EUR + 50 Free Spins
Online Betting UAE – Key Bonus Terms Explained
All betting offers in the UAE should come with full T&Cs attached. These let you know exactly how to trigger the deal, and the rewards you’ll get for doing so successfully.
We’d absolutely advise you to scrutinise those T&Cs before trying to activate any offers at all. These are the three stages into which the most important terms can be separated.
Signing Up to Free Betting Sites
Right from the start, you must be careful to abide by an offer’s rules. Many deals will require you to enter a promo code, when you either register or make your first deposit. Others will need you to actively opt-in at the very beginning.
The next thing to look for is deposit restrictions. Your first deposit will almost always need to be above a certain minimum amount – usually $10 (or currency equivalent). Certain payment methods will also be ineligible, with eWallets like PayPal the most common examples.
Triggering the Offer
This is a key area for Bet and Get promotions. You must ensure that your qualifying bet abides by all the most important terms, or you risk wasting your money entirely.
There are two main things to look for here: a minimum odds requirement, and a minimum stake amount. You might also find market restrictions in place, either for the sports you can wager on, or the bet types you can place. Complex multiples – like Yankees, Trixies, and Lucky 15’s – are often ineligible, for example.
Using Your Bonus
As noted, Deposit Match offers always come with a rollover requirement. This will mean betting your deposit and/or bonus amount a certain number of times. If you deposit $10, for example, and there’s a ‘3x deposit + bonus’ rollover requirement, you must bet through $60 before you can withdraw your bonus winnings. A minimum odds requirement will apply here, as will a time frame in which the rollover must be completed.
Regular free bets are more straightforward, with many not even having a minimum odds requirement. The key thing to watch out for here, however, is the expiry date, after which any unused tokens will simply disappear.
How to Bet Safely Online in the UAE
As noted above, online gambling in the UAE is technically banned. If you’re caught doing so, you may technically face a prison term. More likely, you’ll need to pay a fine not exceeding 20,000 dirham ($5,440 US). Again, however, the actual size of this fine will probably be a lot lower than this.
If you don’t want to take any risks whatsoever, you can obviously avoid betting altogether while you’re in the UAE. There are other measures you can take though, to massively reduce your already-slim chances of getting caught.
The most common step taken by UAE bettors, by far, is to simply use a VPN. This allows you to re-route your connection through proxy servers elsewhere in the world, basically hiding the real location of your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. To get you started, we’d recommend NordVPN and CyberGhost as easy-to-use options, which are also incredibly effective at maintaining your privacy.
Elsewhere, certain payment methods are also more private than others. eWallets like PayPal are supported in the UAE, and typically require less personal information from you than debit or credit cards. Some modern online betting UAE sites even let you make payments using cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, which offer complete anonymity.
New Betting Sites in UAE
Accessing new bookies from the UAE isn’t too difficult. Betting sites spring up all the time, so it’s worth checking to see if any newcomers have any great deals you can take advantage of. Here are the top new betting sites you can wager with from the UAE:
- CobraBet – Deposit €10 Get €100 in Free Bets
- 10Bet – 100% Deposit Bonus up to $200
- Xtremewin – Deposit $10 Get $30 in Free Bets
How to Choose the Best UAE Sports Betting Sites
Despite the aforementioned legal restrictions, you actually have plenty of good choices when picking a betting site in the UAE. We’ve already highlighted the 10 best betting sites in Dubai and other Emirates, but – whether you’re choosing between these or finding your own sportsbook – you still need to narrow down your options. These are the steps you may want to take as you do so.
- Check the betting site actually accepts users from the UAE
- See if Emirati (AED) is accepted, or whether you must use USD, EUR, or GBP
- Look at the available payment methods, and confirm there’s one you’re happy to use
- Check minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts, and whether fees are charged
- Find out if there’s an Arabic-language version of the site available
- Confirm the betting markets you actually want to use are available
- Check out both the welcome offer and ongoing promotions
- Try out the desktop platform, and see how intuitive it feels
- Download and try out the mobile app
- Research both user and critical opinions for the site online
- Check whether any special features you require – like a bet builder – are in place
- Test the customer service for both speed and helpfulness
- Assess whether the betting odds being offered are fair
Sports Markets Available on Sports Betting in Dubai
All Dubai betting sites – and those serving other Emirates – will provide hundreds of individual betting opportunities each day. These will be split across a selection of sports which should number at least 20, and can sometimes even exceed 30. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular such sports for Emirati bettors, along with a more general roundup of your other options.
Football Betting Sites
As in much of the world, football is the most popular sport in the UAE. That’s true not only for watching and actually playing, but for online betting too.
Fortunately, football is universally represented on sports betting sites in the Emirates. International, continental, and domestic competitions are all covered. Naturally these include the likes of the Premier League, Champions League, and Euros. This coverage tends to drop a little across the Middle East unfortunately, with markets on the UAE Pro League – for example – being tough to find, but competitions in nearby countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are given more attention by the best football betting sites.
Cricket Betting Sites
Cricket has long been one of the most popular sports in the UAE. The 2020 edition of the IPL was actually played in Dubai, and the Emirati national team has made steady progress over the past decade or so.
We’re pleased to say, therefore, that cricket also enjoys excellent coverage on online betting sites in the UAE. All major international matchups are available to wager on both pre-match and in-play. The biggest domestic tournaments – like the IPL, Big Bash, and English County Championship – are also widely-represented. Some cricket betting sites, like Unibet, will even let you place long-term outright bets on these contests.
eSports Betting Sites
The rise of eSports across the Middle East has been rapid in recent years, and you can definitely see this trend in the UAE too. Nowadays though, you’re able not only to watch eSports with ease, but bet on them too.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive is arguably the most-represented title, with all our recommended bookies doubling up as CSGO betting sites. Coverage tends to be excellent too, extending from the biggest worldwide tournaments – like the Masters and World Finals – to European contests like Dreamhack. Elsewhere, it’s also easy to find markets on games such as Dota 2 and LoL, and the likes of FIFA and Rainbow Six can also be wagered on.
Other Sports
In addition to the three sections listed above, the top sports betting in Dubai will provide markets on a host of other sports. These will typically include:
- Horse racing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports
- Boxing
- MMA
- Table tennis
- Cycling
Of course, there are certain sports which are popular in the UAE, but don’t have so many fans elsewhere, with camel racing being a prime example. Unfortunately, since you’re reliant on international online betting sites within the Emirates, it’s almost impossible to find gambling markets on these sports. As you can see, however, even with these omissions you’ve still got plenty of betting action to keep you entertained.
Where to Find the Best Betting Odds
The sheer quality of a bookie’s betting odds is incredibly important. If a sportsbook’s prices are unfairly low, you’ll always be fighting an uphill battle to make a profit.
You can rest assured that all 10 of our best betting sites in the UAE offer competitive odds. If you’re looking to find a site for yourself though, this is something you absolutely must verify for yourself. To do so, simply pick a handful of popular markets. See what price is being offered on one of our recommended bookies, then compare that to whatever odds you’re being given on the new site. If they’re a fraction lower, that’s acceptable, but if they’re significantly worse then you should discard them immediately.
To give you a baseline on which to base your comparison, the three sites below offer some of the best prices around for UAE bettors right now.
Best Betting Odds
- All
100% Up to $200
100% Up to $200
- Exceptionally good odds
- Huge range of free bet offers
- Virtual sports section
100% Match, Up to €100
100% Match, Up to €100
- Up to 77% acca boost
- Highly competitive odds
- Extensive range of player props
Bet €20, Get €40 in Free Bets
Bet €20, Get €40 in Free Bets
- Various free bet offers available
- Virtual sports section
- Regular boosted specials for football
Payment Methods Available to Bettors in the UAE
The days of being limited to credit card payments for your online betting are long gone. The best betting sites in Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE will give you a diverse range of choices in this regard. 
Visa and Mastercard – the most popular payment methods in the UAE, by far – remain the most readily-available options among sportsbooks too. The provision for eWallet payments has also increased dramatically though, with PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller being widely-supported now. Some sites will also let you use prepaid cards, like Paysafecard, and a handful even allow you to make payments using cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Bank transfer – another popular payment method in the Emirates – is often facilitated via third-party services, like Trustly.
Since there are no sportsbooks based in the UAE itself, it’s naturally pretty rare that you’ll be able to deposit directly in Emirati dirham. There are a few exceptions to this rule though, such as MELbet and 1xBet.
Finally, we’d like to remind you once again that online betting is officially forbidden in the UAE, and – if you’re caught – you’re likely to be fined. To reduce the risk of this happening, you may want to favour more discrete payment methods. eWallets are safer than debit cards in this regard, while cryptos – which MELbet and 1xBet also support – are the most anonymous of all.
| Payment Method | Fees | Min Deposit | Min Withdrawal |
| Debit/credit card | 0% | €5 (22 AED) | €10 (44 AED) |
| Trustly (bank transfer) | 0% (banks may charge) | €10 | €10 |
| Apple Pay | 0% | €5 | N/A |
| Cryptocurrencies | 0% | €1 | N/A |
| Neteller | 1.9-4.95% | €10 | €10 |
| Skrill | 0% (withdrawal fee may apply) | €5 | €5 |
| PaysafeCard | 0% | €5 | N/A |
Betting Apps and Mobile Sports Betting in UAE
On-the-go betting is hugely popular across most gambling nations. Unfortunately, doing so is a little trickier than usual in the UAE, due to the legal situation. Mobile access across the Emirates is strictly controlled by the government, to the extent that even FaceTime is banned. It’s no surprise, therefore, to learn that betting apps are unavailable through the usual channels.
You can get around this by using a high quality VPN, however, such as NordVPN or CyberGhost. Both providers also have excellent mobile apps, which you can use to activate the VPN on your phone or tablet. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to access foreign versions of the App Store or Google Play, and download the betting app as normal. Most such apps will check your location to ensure you’re in a country in which betting is legal, but – again – your VPN should work around this problem too.
If mobile betting is a priority for you, and you are able to successfully follow these simple steps, these are the apps we’d recommend targeting first of all.
Best Apps
- All
Bet $10, Get $30 in Free Bets
Bet $10, Get $30 in Free Bets
- Highly respected international brand
- Specials bets on footbal
- Good selection of payment methods
100% Match, Up to €50
100% Match, Up to €50
- Massive international sportsbook
- 'Refer a Friend' promotion
- Live streaming available
100% First Deposit Bonus, Up to 390 AE
100% First Deposit Bonus, Up to 390 AE
- Emirati dhiram accepted
- Arabic language website available
- Speedy 'One-Click' registration
5 Ultimate Betting Tips
There’s never any guarantee of turning a profit in sports betting, and this is as true in the UAE as it is anywhere else in the world. By gambling in a smart, considered, and responsible way, however, you can significantly boost your chances of making money. Below are five of the biggest steps you can take to do exactly that.
Tip 1: Do Your Research
You don’t need to conduct your sports betting UAE alone. In fact, we’d recommend getting as much help as possible. The internet is full of useful betting tips, the vast majority of which are available for free. There’s also a huge amount of statistical analysis out there which can inform your picks, even if it’s not specifically targeted at bettors.
Tip 2: Sign Up With Multiple Sites
There are two advantages to this. Firstly, it lets you make use of a range of welcome offers, which – again – deliver highly lucrative rewards. Secondly, it lets you compare prices on any market you’ve got your eye on, and simply place the bet using your account on whichever bookie is offering the best odds.
Tip 3: Use Those Promotions
Welcome offers might be bigger, but you shouldn’t overlook ongoing promotions. These can be triggered repeatedly by existing customers, to continually reap their rewards. Some will increase your profits, such as odds boosts and acca boosts. Others will reduce your losses, such as acca insurance. Either way, these deals are designed to reward your loyalty as an Emirati bettor, so look to use them whenever possible.
Tip 4: Create a Staking Plan
Before you start betting, identify exactly how much you’re willing to spend, and potentially lose. You can calculate this as an overall sum, or work it out weekly or monthly. Regardless, you must stick to this number, whatever happens. Depositing more and more money, in order to make up for a bad loss, is the quickest way to blow up your account.
Tip 5: Know When to Back Out
If a bet is going the wrong way, there’s no need to simply stick with it any more. All the top betting sites in the UAE will provide you with a cash out tool nowadays. If you’ve got a bad feeling about a wager, use it. It’s better to get at least some return, which can be put towards future stakes, than stubbornly stick to a bad bet and get nothing back at all.
Top Betting Sites in the UAE – Final Thoughts
To put it bluntly, the UAE is not the easiest country to bet within. If the government catches you doing so, you could be subjected to a hefty fine. A good VPN, however, can both mask your location and maintain your anonymity. In turn, this will allow you to access the many excellent betting sites which happily accept users from the UAE.
We’ve recommended some of the very best betting sites that satisfy this requirement, with our top overall pick being Rabona. If you choose to go your own way though, we’d highly recommend following the advice given throughout this article, and – most importantly of all – taking the necessary measures to protect your privacy.
Our Recommended Online Sportsbook For UAE Bettors
First Deposit Bonus $150 + $10 Free Bet
First Deposit Bonus $150 + $10 Free Bet
- Superb in-play options
- Extensive football markets
- Withdrawals processed quickly
FAQ
Is online betting legal in the UAE?
No - almost all forms of gambling are banned in the Emirates. By using a VPN, however, you can almost completely eliminate your chances of being caught.
What markets can I bet on?
All the main international sports are also available to bet on in the UAE. Football gets the most markets, but the likes of cricket, golf, horse racing, and motorsports also enjoy good coverage.
What are the best football betting sites in the UAE?
Almost all UAE betting sites will have a football section. That said, 888sport is arguably the best of the bunch, thanks to its constant specials for the beautiful game.
What payment methods can I use?
Visa and Mastercard are universally-accepted, and bank transfers are very common too. You can also easily use an eWallet, like PayPal, and some sites even let you deposit via a cryptocurrency wallet.
Do CSGO betting sites accept UAE bettors?
Absolutely. eSports are covered extremely widely among UAE betting sites, and CSGO often has the most markets out of any game.