Casinos Abroad: Where Travellers from Iraq and the Gulf Go

With casinos banned at home, travellers from Iraq and the Gulf who want a night at the tables usually look abroad. These are the destinations most often mentioned, and what to know first.

Because casinos are illegal in Iraq and in almost every Gulf state, anyone from the region who wants to play roulette, blackjack or poker in a licensed venue has to travel. Over the years a handful of destinations have become familiar names. This article describes them for general interest; it does not recommend gambling, and travellers should remember that the laws of their own country still apply to them in some respects.

Georgia: Batumi and Tbilisi

Georgia legalised casino gambling in the years after independence, and the Black Sea resort of Batumi in particular has built a skyline of hotels with gaming floors. The city attracts visitors from Turkey, where casinos are banned, and from Israel, Iran and other countries, helped by easy visa rules for many nationalities. Tbilisi also has several casinos in large hotels. Georgia has tightened its rules in recent years, including on advertising and online betting, so the scene keeps changing.

Northern Cyprus

The northern part of Cyprus has dozens of casinos, many attached to resort hotels around Kyrenia and Famagusta. Its main market is Turkey, but visitors from across the region come too. Travellers should be aware of the island's political situation and of how entry through the north is treated by the Republic of Cyprus.

Lebanon

The Casino du Liban at Jounieh is the classic Arab casino, with a history going back to 1959 and a reputation built in the years when Beirut was a playground for visitors from the Gulf. It still operates, and it combines gaming with a well-known theatre for concerts and shows.

Egypt

Large hotels in Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada host casinos that are open to foreign passport holders. For visitors from Iraq or the Gulf with a foreign passport, these are among the most accessible options in the Arab world.

Armenia and further afield

Armenia has a licensed casino sector, with large venues near Yerevan. Beyond the region, travellers often choose Europe or Asia, from Monte Carlo and London to Macau and Singapore, usually as part of a broader holiday.

And soon, closer to home

The biggest change may come from inside the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates now has a gaming regulator, and a resort with a casino is being built in Ras Al Khaimah, which is expected to open later this decade. If it does, the map of casino travel from the region could shift.

Before you go

• Check entry rules, currency limits and the legal minimum age for casinos in the country you visit.
• Bring your passport: most casinos check ID at the door.
• Set a budget in advance and treat it as the price of an evening out; the house edge means the casino wins over time.

For an overview of the rules at home, read our guide to gambling laws in the Middle East.