UAE Removes Gambling References from Civil Law
The United Arab Emirates has removed references to gambling and betting from its civil law as part of a broader effort to prepare the country’s legal system for a regulated gaming industry.
The change was introduced through Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, which replaces the previous civil code dating back to 1985.
Under the previous legislation, several articles explicitly addressed gambling and betting. These provisions defined how courts should treat gambling-related agreements and disputes. In the updated law, that entire section has been removed.
This move does not immediately legalize gambling across the country.
Instead, it signals a shift toward regulating gaming activities through a dedicated authority rather than through general civil law.
The new Civil Transactions Law will officially come into force on 1 June 2026.
What Changed in the New Civil Law
Under the old legal framework, gambling and betting were specifically addressed within the civil code.
The updated legislation removes these provisions entirely.
| Legal Framework | Previous Civil Law (1985) | New Civil Law (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling provisions | Articles 1012–1021 addressed gambling and betting | Entire section removed |
| Court treatment | Civil courts could rule on gambling disputes | No specific civil-law guidance |
| Regulation model | General civil-law principles | Dedicated regulatory framework |
The removal of these articles means that gambling-related disputes will no longer be handled under a specific civil-law chapter.
Instead, such matters are expected to fall under the regulatory system created for the gaming industry.
Shift Toward a Regulated Gaming Industry
The UAE has recently taken several steps toward building a structured and tightly controlled gaming sector.
At the center of this system is the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for regulating commercial gaming activities in the country.
The regulator is expected to oversee:
- Licensing of gaming operators
- Compliance and regulatory enforcement
- Operational standards for gaming platforms
- Supervision of commercial gaming activities
Rather than relying on civil-law principles, gaming activity will be governed through licensing conditions and regulatory oversight.
First Licensed Gaming Platform
The regulatory framework has already begun to take shape.
In December 2025, the UAE issued its first gaming-related licence.
The licence authorized the launch of Play971, the country’s first officially licensed online gaming and sports wagering platform.
Timeline of Key Developments
The removal of gambling provisions from civil law comes after several important regulatory milestones.
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority |
| 2025 | Federal Decree-Law No. 25 updates the Civil Transactions Law |
| 2025 | First gaming licence issued for Play971 |
| 2026 | New civil law takes effect on 1 June |
| Future | Additional licences and regulated gaming operations expected |
These steps suggest that the UAE is gradually preparing the legal and regulatory environment for commercial gaming.
What This Means for the Industry
At EmirPlay, our team closely monitors regulatory developments across the UAE’s emerging gaming sector. The removal of gambling provisions from the civil code is widely viewed as a technical legal adjustment that supports the country’s evolving regulatory framework for commercial gaming.
Rather than addressing gambling through general civil law, the UAE is moving toward a dedicated system based on licensing, compliance rules, and regulatory oversight.
For investors, operators, and industry observers, these legal changes offer clearer insight into how the UAE intends to manage gaming activity in the coming years.
While gambling remains tightly controlled, the legal structure increasingly points toward a regulated environment designed specifically for commercial gaming operations.
