Gambling Laws in Kuwait
There is no
legal gambling in Kuwait. Article 2 of the
Constitution of Kuwait identifies the Islamic Sharia as a main source of legislation and according to the law, all forms of
gambling in Kuwait are not allowed. This is not only the case with land-based gambling but with online gambling too, as part of the internet content prohibited under the Sharia refers also to the different varieties of
online gambling sites.
Furthermore, Article 205 of the
Kuwaiti Penal Code states that anyone who is caught participating in games of chance or operating gambling facilities must be punished. And unlike many countries in the region, the national authorities are known for strictly applying the law, instead of letting it go unnoticed.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Kuwait?
No. Gambling, including online gambling, is considered to be illegal in Kuwait, according to the Kuwaiti Penal Code. |
Online Casinos in Kuwait
As of July 2019, there are no
online casinos in Kuwait. Online gambling in the country is prohibited under the Islamic Sharia, so no
Kuwaiti online casino licenses are on the offer. And although there is an active blockage on any online gambling content, illegal access to
internet casino sites from Kuwait is frequently reported by many foreign online casino providers.
Online Poker in Kuwait
Online poker sites in Kuwait are also not legal
. Although there are no specific
Kuwaiti online poker laws, the general prohibition on gambling coming from the application of the Islamic Sharia holds for this game too.
Online Lottery in Kuwait
Even though there are no separate
Kuwaiti lotto laws, the general prohibition on gambling coming from the Islamic Sharia is applied to lotto as well. Consequently, the game does not have a long tradition in Kuwait, neither as gambling games or for charitable purposes, and, as of July 2019, there are no domestic
online lotteries in Kuwait.
Online Bingo in Kuwait
Similarly to other gambling sites,
online bingo sites in Kuwait are not legal as the general prohibition on online gambling in the country, coming from the Islamic Sharia, holds for this game too
. However, and due to the lack of land-based offer, players actively access foreign platforms.
Online Sports Betting in Kuwait
Online sportsbook sites in Kuwait are also illegal
. As it is the case with other gambling games, online betting also falls under the general prohibition on gambling coming from the Islamic Sharia. Nevertheless, and despite the fact that there is an active blockage on any online gambling content, illegal access to sportsbook sites from Kuwait is frequently reported by many international online sportsbooks.
Online DFS in Kuwait
There are no
online DFS sites in Kuwait. Although the status of Daily Fantasy Sports is a frequent topic of discussion between lawmakers worldwide, it is plausible to suppose that this game, notwithstanding the status, will also fall under the prohibition coming from the Islamic Sharia.
