All forms of gambling, including online and land-based, are strictly prohibited in Bahrain.
Article 308 of the Penal Code criminalizes gambling in public, punishable by up to 3 months in jail or a BD 300 fine.
There is no licensing system for gambling operators; no legal framework exists for regulated gambling businesses.
Online gambling is illegal, and authorities actively block access to gambling websites from within Bahrain.
No official taxation applies to gambling winnings or operators, as there are no licensed or legal gambling entities.
Bahrain enforces internet censorship but does not typically prosecute individual online gamblers.
Religious and cultural norms rooted in Islamic law are the primary drivers behind Bahrain's strict anti-gambling stance.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Bahrain is governed primarily by the Bahrain Penal Code. The key provision addressing gambling is Article 308 of the Penal Code, which explicitly prohibits gambling activities in public places. This article stipulates that any person found gambling in a public place may be subject to imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to 300 Bahraini Dinars. The Penal Code does not differentiate between different forms of gambling and, by extension, covers both land-based and online gambling activities within its broad prohibition. There are no separate or specific laws that regulate online gambling; instead, all forms of gambling are considered illegal under the general framework of the Penal Code. Additionally, Bahrain enforces its anti-gambling stance through internet censorship, actively blocking access to gambling websites. There are no other major legislative acts or codes specifically dedicated to gambling regulation in Bahrain.
Regulatory Authority
Bahrain does not have a dedicated gambling regulatory authority or commission. Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws fall under the general jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, as empowered by the Penal Code. The authorities are responsible for:
Enforcing the prohibition of gambling as outlined in the Penal Code
Monitoring and blocking access to online gambling websites
Imposing penalties for violations of gambling laws
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Bahrain
Currently, Bahrain does not operate any formal gambling licensing system. All forms of gambling—both land-based and online—are strictly prohibited under the country's laws. As a result, there are no official procedures, types of licenses, or regulatory frameworks for the licensing of gambling operators in Bahrain.
Types of Licenses Available
No gambling licenses are available for any type of gambling activity, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or online gambling.
Application Process
There is no application process for gambling licenses, as the regulatory framework does not permit the issuance of such licenses.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
No information is available regarding license duration, renewal, or eligibility, since gambling licenses are not issued in Bahrain.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
There are no licensing costs, fees, or financial requirements for gambling operators, as the activity is not legally recognized or regulated.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses
No requirements exist for obtaining or maintaining gambling licenses in Bahrain, given the absence of any legal or regulatory provisions for gambling licensing.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Bahrain
Currently, there are no specific tax rates applicable to gambling operators in Bahrain. All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online operations, are strictly prohibited under Bahraini law. As a result, there are no licensed gambling operators within the country, and consequently, no tax regime or official tax rates exist for gambling activities.
Basis for Taxation
Bahrain does not have a legal framework for gambling operations, so there is no basis for taxation such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Since gambling is illegal and there are no licensed operators, there are no tax reporting or payment requirements for gambling businesses in Bahrain.
There are also no official procedures or forms for gambling-related tax submissions.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators, as the activity is not permitted or regulated in any form.
Summary Table: Gambling Operator Taxation in Bahrain
Aspect
Status in Bahrain
Tax rates for gambling operators
Not applicable (no legal operators)
Taxation basis (GGR, turnover, etc.)
Not applicable
Tax reporting/payment procedures
Not applicable
Tax incentives/exemptions
Not applicable
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
Gambling is strictly prohibited in Bahrain, both in land-based and online forms. Due to the complete ban, there are no officially established minimum age requirements or identification procedures for legal gambling activities, as such activities are not permitted or regulated within the country.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
All forms of gambling are prohibited, including casino games, sports betting, lotteries, and any other games of chance.
Online gambling is explicitly illegal, with authorities actively blocking access to gambling websites.
No legal land-based gambling venues exist; therefore, there are no permitted games or exceptions for any gambling activities.
Betting on popular events, such as the F1 Grand Prix or local sporting matches, is also not allowed.
Horse and camel racing may occur, but no legal wagering is permitted on these events.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising or promoting any form of gambling is strictly forbidden.
There are no legal gambling operators allowed to market their services within Bahrain, and any attempt to advertise gambling is subject to legal penalties.
Online and offline advertisements for gambling, including sponsorships or promotional campaigns, are not permitted under any circumstances.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protections
Since all gambling is illegal, there are no formal responsible gambling requirements or player protection measures mandated by Bahraini authorities.
No official support services, self-exclusion programs, or helplines exist for problem gambling within the country.
The primary form of player protection is the blanket prohibition and enforcement against all gambling activities.
Authorities focus on blocking access to gambling sites rather than prosecuting individual players, but participation remains illegal and unprotected.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
There are no licensed or legal gambling venues permitted anywhere in Bahrain, whether in public or private spaces.
Gambling in public places is specifically criminalized, with penalties including imprisonment of up to three months or a fine.
Online gambling websites are systematically blocked throughout the country, and access is restricted via internet censorship measures.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1976
Bahrain adopts its Penal Code, which includes prohibitions on gambling activities in line with Islamic law.
2002
The current version of the Bahrain Penal Code is enacted, maintaining strict prohibitions against all forms of gambling, including public gambling under Article 308.
2014
Bahraini lawmakers discuss and approve harsher penalties for gambling during a parliamentary session, increasing fines and prison terms for offenders and introducing penalties for repeat offenses and operators of gambling houses.
2015–Present
Authorities intensify enforcement through internet censorship, actively blocking access to online gambling sites and maintaining a complete ban on both land-based and online gambling.
Requirements
Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Bahrain
Currently, Bahrain fully prohibits all forms of gambling, including online gambling and land-based operations. There is no regulatory framework or licensing regime that sets out technical or operational requirements for gambling operators. As a result, there are no official or recognized standards for software certification, technical compliance, data protection, anti-money laundering, or responsible gambling tools for operators within Bahrain.
No software certification or technical standards are defined or recognized for gambling operations.
No data protection, privacy measures, or server location requirements specific to gambling operators exist.
No anti-money laundering (AML) or Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures are established for gambling operators, as such operations are not permitted.
No requirements for financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping for gambling operators are in place.
No technical implementation requirements for responsible gambling tools are set by Bahraini authorities.
Because all gambling activities are strictly prohibited under Bahraini law, any technical or operational requirements for legal gambling operators are not applicable in this jurisdiction.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
