Most forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in Syria due to religious and social norms.
The government does not issue licenses for casinos, sports betting, or online gambling operators.
There is no official regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities in Syria.
Engaging in illegal gambling can result in significant fines and imprisonment.
Online gambling is explicitly illegal and blocked by Syrian authorities.
Esports and video gaming events may be allowed with special permissions, but not if gambling is involved.
Gaming activities are overseen by the Ministry of Communications and Technology, but this excludes gambling.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Syria is primarily governed by the general principles of Islamic law (Sharia), which prohibits most forms of gambling. There is no comprehensive or modern national legislation specifically dedicated to regulating gambling activities, either land-based or online. While some state-run lotteries exist, these are exceptions and are typically operated under special government decrees. The lack of a detailed legal framework means that, aside from these limited state-sanctioned activities, gambling is broadly considered illegal under Syrian law. There are currently no specific statutes, gaming acts, or detailed legal codes that systematically address commercial gambling operations or online gambling platforms.
Regulatory Authority
Syria does not have a dedicated national regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities. Oversight of the limited legal gambling (such as state lotteries) falls under the direct control of relevant government ministries, with no specialized gaming commission or regulatory board in place. General law enforcement and government ministries are responsible for ensuring compliance with existing prohibitions and any permitted exceptions.
Oversight of state-sanctioned lotteries by relevant government ministries
Enforcement of gambling prohibitions by general law enforcement agencies
License Types
Overview of Gambling Licensing in Syria
Currently, Syria does not have an active or formal gambling licensing system for either land-based or online gambling operations. The regulatory framework does not provide for the issuance of gambling licenses, and all forms of casino and betting operations are officially prohibited. This prohibition applies to both physical establishments and online gambling platforms.
Types of Licenses Available
No official licenses are available for any gambling activities, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries (except the state lottery), or online gambling.
The only exception is the state-run lottery, which operates under government oversight and does not involve a public licensing process.
Application Process
There is no application process for private entities or individuals to obtain a gambling license in Syria, as no such licenses are issued.
All private gambling operations are considered illegal and are not subject to any formal application or review procedures.
Duration and Renewal Conditions
Since no licenses are issued, there are no terms regarding license duration or renewal.
Eligibility Requirements
No eligibility criteria exist for gambling licenses, as the regulatory environment does not permit private or commercial gambling operations.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
There are no fees, costs, or financial requirements associated with gambling licenses, as the licensing system does not exist for commercial operators.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
No requirements are established for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license, as the current legal framework does not recognize or support such activities for private entities.
Summary Table: Gambling Licensing in Syria
Aspect
Status
Types of Licenses Available
None (except state lottery)
Application Process
Not applicable
Duration & Renewal
Not applicable
Eligibility
Not applicable
Costs & Fees
Not applicable
Requirements
Not applicable
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Syria
Currently, there is no established or published taxation system specifically for gambling operators in Syria. The country does not have a regulated framework for gambling operations, including land-based or online gambling. As a result, there are no official tax rates for different types of gambling activities, such as casinos, sports betting, or lotteries.
Basis for Taxation
There is no defined basis for gambling taxation in Syria, such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or any other metric, due to the absence of a formal regulatory and tax regime for gambling operators.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
There are no specific tax reporting or payment procedures for gambling operators in Syria, as the sector is not formally recognized or regulated by the government.
No official guidelines or schedules exist for the submission of tax returns or payment of gambling-related taxes.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions are available for gambling operators, as the legal and fiscal infrastructure for such operations is not in place.
Summary Table: Gambling Taxation in Syria
Gambling Activity
Tax Rate
Tax Basis
Reporting/Payment Requirements
Incentives/Exemptions
All Forms (Casino, Betting, Lottery, Online)
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
In summary, Syria does not have a formal taxation regime for gambling operators. This is due to the lack of a regulated gambling market and the absence of legal recognition for gambling businesses in the country.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions
The minimum legal age for participating in state lotteries in Syria is 18 years. Age verification measures are in place to ensure compliance with this requirement, particularly for lottery participation.
Prohibited Activities
All forms of betting and gambling are generally prohibited in Syria, with the exception of limited state lottery operations.
Online gambling is not permitted for citizens or tourists.
Blood sports betting and any gambling activity involving violent games are explicitly banned.
Engaging in any unauthorized gambling activities can result in severe legal consequences.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising and marketing of gambling services are strictly prohibited. There is no public promotion of gambling activities, and venues that operate do so with minimal visibility and no overt advertising.
Any attempt to market gambling products or services is considered illegal and may result in legal action.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Due to the highly restrictive environment, formal responsible gambling programs and player protection measures are not publicly documented or mandated by authorities.
Geographic or Location Restrictions
В городских центрах или жилых районах нет лицензированных игорных заведений, работающих открыто.
Туристам и местным жителям рекомендуется не играть в азартные игры за пределами этих редких, строго контролируемых мест.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1949
Initial prohibition of most gambling activities under Syrian Penal Code, establishing a general ban on gambling throughout the country.
1950s–1970s
State-run lotteries introduced as an exception to the general gambling ban, allowing limited legal gambling under strict government control.
2001
Gambling regulations reinforced, with increased penalties for illegal gambling and further restrictions on private gambling operations.
2010
Regulatory oversight of gaming and lotteries assigned to the Ministry of Communications and Technology, formalizing government authority over gaming activities.
2012
Online gambling explicitly prohibited, with legal amendments targeting internet-based gambling platforms and operators.
2020
Further regulatory tightening in response to technological developments, including stricter enforcement against unauthorized online gambling.
2024
Minimum legal age of 18 established for participation in state lotteries, with new age verification requirements implemented.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are no official software certification or technical standards requirements for gambling operators in Syria, as gambling is not regulated and no licensing framework exists.
No requirements exist for independent testing of game fairness, random number generators, or system integrity.
There are no mandated technical standards for platform security, game logic, or reporting protocols.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
No formal data protection or privacy requirements are specified for gambling operators in Syria.
There are no regulations regarding the storage, processing, or transfer of player data for gambling activities.
No requirements are in place concerning the physical or jurisdictional location of servers used by gambling operators.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
There are no prescribed AML or KYC procedures for gambling operators, as the activity is not legally recognized or regulated.
No technical guidelines exist for customer identity verification, transaction monitoring, or suspicious activity reporting in the gambling sector.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping requirements are imposed on gambling operators in Syria.
There are no obligations for maintaining transaction logs, player account histories, or financial statements for gambling operations.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
There are no requirements for responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion, or reality checks, as gambling is not regulated.
No technical standards or implementation guidelines exist for player protection features in gambling platforms.
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.
