UAE silently removes gambling and betting from new civil law
The United Arab Emirates, commonly known as the UAE, has removed long-standing references to gambling and betting from its civil law, in a move that signals a significant shift towards a dedicated and tightly regulated commercial gaming framework, which is scheduled to be rolled out in the coming year.
Under the new Civil Transactions Law, issued as Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, the UAE’s civil code will no longer contain a specific section dealing with gambling and betting disputes. The changes are due to take effect on 1 June 2026, when the existing civil law will be formally replaced.
The current civil code, Federal Law No. 5 of 1985, includes a defined set of articles, Articles 1012 to 1021, that directly address gambling and betting. These provisions outline how such arrangements are treated under civil law, including whether gambling contracts can be enforced and under what circumstances gambling losses may be recovered.
Entire section removed for dedicated laws
In the new civil law, that entire section has been removed. Legal analysis of the updated legislation has confirmed that the gambling and betting provisions were not carried forward, nor were they replaced elsewhere in the civil code. The removal does not signal a sudden easing of the UAE’s stance on gambling. Instead, legal experts view the move as part of a broader effort to clearly separate general civil law from the country’s emerging commercial gaming regulations.
In recent years, the UAE has taken concrete steps towards establishing a formal gaming industry under strict regulatory oversight. Central to this effort is the creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which describes itself as the federal body with exclusive authority to regulate, licence and supervise commercial gaming activities in the country.
Rather than relying on broad civil-law principles to govern gambling-related issues, the UAE now appears to be shifting responsibility to this specialised regulator. This approach allows gaming activity to be governed through licences, compliance rules, and regulatory standards designed specifically for the sector.
The timing of the change is also notable. While early announcements around gaming in the UAE attracted global attention, the focus has increasingly shifted towards practical regulation, licensing, and enforcement. Cleaning up older legislation is widely seen as a necessary step as the regulatory system moves closer to real-world implementation.
First licence already issued
In December 2025, the country’s regulator also issued its first gaming-related licence, approving the UAE’s first licenced internet gaming and sports wagering platform. The website, known as Play971, is officially authorised and regulated by the GCGRA, the federal authority responsible for supervising all commercial gaming activity in the country.
Further legal adjustments may follow. Analysts suggest that other federal laws could be updated over time to align with the GCGRA’s final licensing conditions and compliance requirements, helping to create a consistent and self-contained gaming regime, rather than an informal or ad-hoc expansion of gambling activities.
This means that from June 2026 onwards, civil courts in the UAE will no longer rely on a dedicated civil-law chapter when dealing with gambling or betting-related disputes. Instead, such matters are expected to be addressed within the framework established by gaming regulations and licence conditions.
For investors and operators watching the UAE’s gaming market, the change provides greater clarity. By drawing a clear line between civil law and gaming regulation, the UAE is signalling a controlled, rules-based approach to the sector.
Manila’s calling and it’s not whispering. From 01 to 03 June 2026, SiGMA Asia returns to the undisputed regional heavyweight. With 16,000 delegates, 3,040 operators, and 250+ speakers under one roof, this isn’t just an expo. It’s ignition!
