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QA

Is Gambling Legal in Qatar?

Prohibited
All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited under Qatari law, with severe penalties for violations. No legal land-based or online gambling is permitted.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority None
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Prohibited
    Online Casinos Prohibited
    Betting Prohibited
    Online Betting Prohibited
    Lotteries Prohibited
    Poker Prohibited

    Highlights

    • All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in Qatar under Islamic law, with severe penalties including fines and imprisonment for violators
    • Qatar's main internet network, Qtel, blocks most gambling websites, though some residents access gambling sites through alternative networks like Vodafone
    • Despite the prohibition, online gambling exists in a legal gray area with limited government resources to prosecute individual players accessing international sites
    • Cryptocurrency gambling has gained popularity in Qatar as the laws regarding cryptocurrency are less defined, potentially creating regulatory loopholes
    • Qatar allows one exception to gambling prohibition through 'raffles' organized by Qatar Airways where players can win prizes like cars
    • The social stigma associated with gambling adds an extra deterrent beyond legal consequences, affecting reputation within Qatar's close-knit community
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Gambling in Qatar is comprehensively prohibited under the country’s legal framework, which is primarily based on Islamic (Sharia) law. The core legal structure that governs gambling includes:
      • Islamic Sharia Law: As the foundation of Qatar’s legal system, Sharia law explicitly forbids all forms of gambling, considering it both morally and legally unacceptable. This prohibition is absolute and applies to all types of gambling activities, including land-based casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling.
      • Qatari Penal Code: The Penal Code of Qatar codifies the prohibition of gambling, criminalizing participation in, organization of, or facilitation of gambling activities. The law provides for penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those found violating these provisions.
      • Cybercrime Legislation: Qatar enforces regulations that extend the prohibition of gambling to the digital sphere. Online gambling is explicitly banned, and authorities employ technical measures to block access to gambling websites within the country.
      No exceptions or licensing frameworks exist for commercial gambling operations, and all gambling-related activities remain strictly illegal under the current legal regime.

      Regulatory Authority

      There is no dedicated gambling regulatory authority in Qatar due to the blanket prohibition of gambling activities. Oversight and enforcement responsibilities are distributed among general law enforcement and governmental agencies, which include:
      • Ministry of Interior: Responsible for enforcing criminal laws, including those related to illegal gambling activities, both offline and online.
      • Cybercrime Units: Tasked with monitoring and blocking online gambling platforms and investigating digital violations of gambling prohibitions.
      • Judicial Authorities: Handle prosecution and adjudication of gambling-related offenses in accordance with Sharia law and the Penal Code.
      All regulatory and enforcement functions are aimed at upholding the strict prohibition mandated by Qatar’s legal and religious framework.

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Qatar

      Currently, there are no legal gambling licenses available in Qatar for any form of gambling activity. All forms of gambling, including land-based casinos, online gambling, sports betting, lotteries, and other betting activities, are strictly prohibited under Qatari law. There is no licensing framework or regulatory authority for gambling operations in the country.

      Application Process for Gambling Licenses

      • No application process exists for gambling licenses in Qatar, as no such licenses are issued or recognized by the government.
      • There are no official procedures, forms, or government bodies to which operators can apply for permission to offer gambling services.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • Since gambling licenses are not available in Qatar, there are no provisions regarding license duration, renewal conditions, or eligibility criteria for operators.

      Licensing Costs, Fees, and Financial Requirements

      • There are no official costs, fees, or financial requirements associated with gambling licenses, as the licensing system does not exist in Qatar.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses

      • No requirements or ongoing obligations exist for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license in Qatar, since all forms of gambling are prohibited and unlicensed.

      Gambling Tax

      Gambling Operator Taxation in Qatar

      Qatar does not have a formal taxation system for gambling operators because all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited under Qatari law. The legal framework, based on Islamic law, bans both land-based and online gambling activities. As such, there are no licensed gambling operators within the country, and therefore, no official tax rates, bases for taxation, or payment procedures applicable to gambling operations.

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operations

      • There are no tax rates established for gambling operators in Qatar, as gambling is illegal and not subject to regulation or taxation.

      Basis for Taxation

      • No basis for taxation, such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric, exists for gambling operations in Qatar.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Since gambling operations are not permitted, there are no tax reporting or payment requirements for gambling operators.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions

      • No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions are available for gambling operators, given the absolute prohibition of gambling activities in the country.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      In Qatar, all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited for individuals of any age. The concept of legal gambling age does not apply in Qatar as the activity itself is illegal under Islamic law. No identification verification systems exist for gambling purposes since the activity is not permitted in any form.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities

      • All forms of land-based casino gambling are completely prohibited
      • Sports betting in all formats (online and offline) is illegal
      • Online gambling including roulette, slots, poker, and other casino games is banned
      • Lottery and raffle games are not permitted
      • Betting on horse racing or other sporting events is illegal
      • Social gambling, even in private settings, is prohibited

      Internet and Online Restrictions

      Qatar implements technical measures to block access to gambling websites. The main internet network in Qatar, Qtel, actively blocks most online gambling sites. However, some residents circumvent these restrictions by accessing the internet through alternative networks like Vodafone or using VPNs. Despite these workarounds, online gambling remains illegal regardless of how the sites are accessed.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      All forms of gambling advertising and marketing are completely prohibited in Qatar. This includes:
      • Television, radio, and print advertisements for gambling services
      • Online marketing of gambling websites
      • Promotional materials for gambling activities
      • Sponsorships by gambling companies
      • Social media promotion of gambling services

      Cryptocurrency Gambling Restrictions

      While cryptocurrency regulations in Qatar remain somewhat vague, crypto gambling falls under the general prohibition of gambling activities. Despite the anonymity that cryptocurrencies provide, using Bitcoin or other digital currencies for gambling purposes does not exempt users from Qatar's gambling prohibitions. The legal system considers crypto gambling to be subject to the same restrictions as traditional gambling.

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      No gambling venues are legally permitted to operate anywhere within Qatar's territory. There are no designated gambling zones or exceptions to this rule. The prohibition applies uniformly across the entire country, including hotels, resorts, and all public and private spaces.

      Penalties for Violations

      Qatar imposes severe penalties on those caught participating in gambling activities. These penalties are rooted in Islamic law, which considers gambling morally wrong and harmful to society. Beyond legal consequences, individuals involved in gambling also face significant social stigma within the Qatari community, which serves as an additional deterrent.

      Responsible Gambling Measures

      Due to the complete prohibition of gambling, Qatar does not have established responsible gambling frameworks or player protection measures that would typically exist in countries where gambling is regulated. Instead, the approach is one of complete prevention rather than harm reduction. There are no self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, or gambling addiction support services specifically tailored for gambling issues.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1971 Qatar gains independence and adopts a legal system based on Islamic (Sharia) law, which prohibits all forms of gambling.
        1974 The Penal Code of Qatar is enacted, explicitly criminalizing gambling activities in line with Sharia principles.
        2004 The current Qatari Penal Code (Law No. 11 of 2004) comes into force, reaffirming the prohibition of all gambling activities and specifying penalties for violations.
        2010s Qatari authorities begin actively blocking access to online gambling sites, implementing technical measures through national internet providers.
        2020 Qatar intensifies enforcement against online gambling, with increased monitoring and stricter penalties for those participating in or facilitating gambling activities.
        2023–2025 Despite ongoing strict prohibition, some residents turn to cryptocurrency-based gambling platforms due to the lack of specific regulation on digital currencies, highlighting a new challenge for enforcement.

        Requirements

        Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Qatar

        Due to the legal framework in Qatar, all forms of gambling, including online gambling, are strictly prohibited under Islamic law. As a result, there are no officially recognized or regulated gambling operators within the country. Consequently, there are no formal technical or operational requirements established by Qatari authorities for gambling operators. However, for informational purposes, the following outlines the absence of such standards and the practical implications for technical and operational compliance:

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • There are no official software certification requirements or technical standards for gambling platforms, as all gambling operations are illegal and unregulated in Qatar.
        • No government-approved testing agencies or certification bodies exist for gambling software within the country.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • No specific data protection or privacy requirements for gambling operators are established by Qatari law, as such operations are not permitted.
        • There are no mandates regarding the physical location of servers for gambling operations, since these activities are not legally recognized.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • There are no prescribed AML or KYC procedures for gambling operators, as gambling activities are not authorized or regulated in Qatar.
        • Operators offering services to Qatari residents from outside jurisdictions are not subject to local AML or KYC oversight.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

        • No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping standards are imposed on gambling operators by Qatari authorities, as such businesses are illegal.
        • There are no regulatory bodies tasked with auditing or reviewing the operations of gambling operators in Qatar.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • No technical requirements or standards for responsible gambling tools are mandated by Qatari law, given the prohibition of all gambling activities.
        • There is no requirement for self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, or player protection tools for gambling operators.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Legislation Resources

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          Important Information Notice

          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.

          Last updated: 22 April 2025