Gambling remains a complicated matter for Saudi Arabia as of 2025, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a market for it. Studies show that Saudis do love to bet online with the estimated revenue for 2024 reaching $800 million.
As there is no license for brands to operate with, all the attention is targeted towards sites outside the Gulf, which are open to bettors worldwide. Even in this case, it is important to note that locals should be extremely cautious when wagering online.
On this page, we will include a complete list of online betting sites in Saudi Arabia and explain step-by-step how to open a new account safely. We will also discuss the best payment methods to keep your activities under the radar. Do you have to pay taxes on your winnings? How can you use a VPN service to access your favorite sportsbooks? Let’s find out.
Full List of Saudi Arabia Betting Sites
How to Find the Best Betting Sites in Saudi Arabia
When you engage in online gambling in the country, you must look for operators that offer both a great product and a high level of anonymity. Some of the main criteria you must evaluate are the following:
✅ Sports & Markets: First and foremost, you must find a bookie that covers all your favorite sports. Not only that but the odds and market must be adequate as well.
✅ Live Betting: Apart from pre-match wagering, the top betting sites in Saudi Arabia also offer thorough in-play coverage. The main point is to ensure that the payouts do not drop a lot between pre-match and live betting.
✅ VPN-Friendliness: Since the country has very strict laws around online gambling, no brands can request and acquire a local license. The only option is to play on international bookmakers, which can be accessed via a VPN for sports betting services.
✅ Payments: Again, you need sites where you can top up your account with methods other than debit cards or bank wires. Your best alternatives should be e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.
✅ Easy KYC: One problem you might face is that you have won some money but cannot request a withdrawal because you cannot complete the KYC process. This is why you should opt in for betting sites with no ID verification.
What You Need to Know About Betting in Saudi Arabia
Active Players | Gambling Status | Annual Gross Revenue | Currency |
5,000,000+ | Unregulated | $800,000,000 | Saudi Riyal (SAR) |
Horse racing tracks in Riyadh and Taif are very popular. Still, they are not open to any form of legal betting. Riyadh surprisingly hosted a first-ever Baloot championship in 2018, organized by the General Sports Authority. This was a card game resembling the French Belote.
It was the first time money prizes were given to the winner and the runner-ups. Despite rumors that it could bring changes to legislation around gambling, nothing came out of it. As a result, there is still no licensing system for operators. This makes sense since no authority to oversee activities exists in the country.
Supervision, surveillance and enforcement are all under the power of the police. And trust this, they are very strict with locals and foreigners as well. If you gamble, you must do so in your privacy.
Is Sports Betting in Saudi Arabia Legal?
Online gambling in the country is prohibited, as is commonly the case with Muslim countries. We are aware that there are way too many expatriates who live in the Saudi Kingdom. However, laws are strict, regardless of your citizenship. The police will enforce the law and expect no favors because you might be British or American. Respect the local law framework and the fact that gambling is against the Islamic religion.
If you still do play online, always use VPN software to access international Saudi Arabia betting sites. In addition, don’t brag about it; keep it personal. Stick to e-wallets for your payments, and always be cautious regarding your banking transactions. Online surveillance is not reportedly too strict; however, always keep a low profile.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Winnings?
No. Since online gambling is strictly illegal, you will not have to pay any taxes on your profits. Actually, if you declare any winnings, you will most likely be prosecuted by the local authorities. This is why you should use payment options that will easily allow you to hide your online activities.
What Are The Limitations of Betting Sites in Saudi Arabia?
The first and most important area where we want to focus is that imprisonment and public shaming await gambling organizers and players. For those who, at the end of the day, engage in betting activities, the primary concern is that no local authority that handles player complaints or a gambling scheme to self-exclude exists. Last but not least, few sites allow you to navigate the website in Arabic and even fewer let you perform transactions in the local currency (Saudi Arabian Riyal).
Can I Access Online Bookmakers Outside The Country?
Yes. Since there are no betting shops or licensed online betting sites in Saudi Arabia, your only option is to open an account with an international bookie. This should be done by using a VPN service like PureVPN or Hidemyass. For more information on how to use them, feel free to check our detailed guides.
Will Online Betting in Saudi Arabia Grow?
Due to the regulations, it is tough to gather accurate information regarding gambling revenue in the country. Nevertheless, the sports betting market is estimated to grow by 5% annually to $772.40m by 2029. Of course, players pay closer attention to certain sports.
Football
Football is the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia. The vibrant domestic league, the Saudi Pro League, features top clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad. Lately, we have seen football legends like C. Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema going to the country, albeit at the end of their careers. The result of this was a huge increase in the betting interest not only from locals but international punters as well.
Horse Racing
Horse racing holds a prestigious place in Saudi Arabia, blending tradition with modernity. After all, the richest horse racing event, the Saudi Cup, takes place in the country and attracts elite competitors and significant international attention. In addition, state-of-the-art facilities like the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh host grand events, combining luxury with top-tier competition.
Cricket
Even though the country does not have a very strong affiliation with the sport, we have noticed a steady increase in betting interest around cricket in Saudi Arabia. The main reason is the large expatriate communities from South Asia. The Saudi Cricket Federation has caught on and organises domestic leagues and tournaments to engage players and fans. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's national cricket team competes in international tournaments under the ICC’s associate member status, reflecting the sport's increasing popularity.
Golf
Like cricket, golf has seen remarkable growth in recent years, becoming a key part of the nation's sports landscape. The Saudi International, part of the Asian Tour, attracts top global golfers to the stunning Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. The federation also has views to become one of the world's best golf destinations. With so many new events, you can understand how betting sites in Saudi Arabia have flourished.
How To Bet Online in Saudi Arabia - Step By Step
If an online sportsbook accepts users from Saudi Arabia, you can visit the official website and place your bets. As a reference, follow the steps below.
- 1 Choose a Bookie: Your first concern is to pick a betting site that suits your needs and where you can safely place your wagers. Our bookmaker ratings page has all this information and more.
- 2 Register an Account: Once you make your choice, go to the website and create your new account. Most operators will ask you for a series of personal details, such as name, phone number, address, and country.
- 3 Top up your account: After successfully registering a new account with an online betting site in Saudi Arabia, it is time to deposit for the first time. Here, you must think about two things: add enough money to your balance to claim the welcome bonus if you are interested, and pick a transaction method that will keep your activities hidden.
- 4 Start betting: If you have a funded account, you can browse the sportsbook and choose the sport you want to play. Find the event and the market you prefer and click on it. Once you add the stake, your wager will be confirmed.
What Payments Should Saudi Arabian Bettors Use?
With such severe punishment awaiting those caught breaking the laws, making sure you use transaction methods that do not give away your activities is key. Below, you can find all the payment-related information you need to be safe.
⏩ E-wallets: Your best option is to make deposits and withdrawals through e-wallets such as Skrill, Ecopayz, or Neteller. They come with no fees, instant payments, and are some of the best for under-the-radar gambling.
⏩ Prepaid Cards: Another popular method among locals is prepaid cards since there is no name on them. However, they come with a significant downside: you cannot withdraw your winnings with them.
⏩ Cryptocurrencies: Lately, crypto transactions have gained a lot of footing in the country due to their levels of anonymity. For more info, check our guide on the best crypto bookmakers.
Top Saudi Arabia Betting Sites Accepting SAR
Unfortunately, since the state bans online gambling, very few online bookies pay close attention to Saudi Arabia. This is why the number of operators with whom you can top up your account with the Saudi Arabian Riyal is limited. You can find a list below.
Are Credit Card Deposits Accepted?
The short answer is yes. Almost all international bookies accept credit card transactions for gambling. Some of the most popular ones are VISA, Mastercard, and Maestro. However, you must avoid them at all costs. It is tough to hide your payments from authorities if you are using credit cards or bank transfers.
Sports Betting in Saudi Arabia: What Does the Future Hold
Things are pretty clear regarding online betting: SA is against it. Without having to be an oracle, not much is expected to change in the future. Hosting a card tournament with money prizes in 2018 was the first-ever indication that something could eventually change. However, this has not been followed by any appropriate actions whatsoever.
Gambling will probably remain illegal for many years to come. Locals and expats living here will have to abide by the laws. For the brave ones, international betting sites in Saudi Arabia will keep welcoming them. Software products will keep adding security and anonymity to their transactions. Yet, the future of online betting isn’t very bright in the Saudi Kingdom.
Gambling Laws in Neighbouring Countries
Since gambling is illegal in the country, you might be looking for alternatives in nearby states. The truth, though, is that most countries near Saudi Arabia are Muslim. Therefore, they consider betting illegal. Let's have a look:
⏩ UAE: Apart from some very specific forms of a raffle in horse racing, all other types of gambling are illegal in the country. In addition, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is tasked with restricting online gambling as well. Only a handful of betting sites in UAE are open to locals.
⏩ Oman: There are no betting shops, casinos, or even a lottery run in the country. All forms are illegal. However, since the measures against offenders are not that strict compared to other Islamic countries, most elect to sign up at Oman betting sites online.
⏩ Kuwait: As is the case with most Muslim countries, all forms of gambling are illegal, while there are no specific laws regarding online activity. Locals take advantage of that window to access Kuwait betting sites. However, we advise caution if you do it.
Online betting is illegal, and you definitely don’t want to get caught by the authorities. E-wallets, like Skrill and Neteller, or crypto,s help you keep your anonymity while offering faster withdrawals than bank wire and cards do.
22Bet is one of the most renowned bookmakers to be offering services to local punters. Apart from a great selection of sports and different markets, it comes with a fully localized interface, allowing you to bet in Arabic and open a local currency (SAR) account.
Yes. Stake is one of the world's biggest crypto bookmakers and accepts players from Saudi Arabia. Users who register for the first time are also entitled to the Stake Welcome Bonus.
Restrictions apply to everyone. This means that the authorities are not particularly relaxed towards foreigners who try to register on betting sites in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, if you do bet, take all the necessary precautions (VPN software, private computer IP).
Saudi Arabia betting sites are mainly famous international companies licensed under some of the biggest licensing authorities. Try to stick to these ones, like 22Bet and 1xbet, and enjoy a safe experience.
Even though gambling is illegal, locals have been sports fans for years. Surveys have shown that most players place their wagers on football, horse racing, cricket, and golf.