Online casinos are illegal in Syria under the country's conservative legal framework based on Islamic law. Syria prohibits most forms of gambling, including casinos, sports betting, and private gambling operations. The Syrian government has forbidden all private gambling establishments and maintains strict control over gambling activities, permitting only state-run lottery operations under the governance of the Ministry of Finance (1).
The prohibition of gambling in Syria is heavily influenced by Islamic principles, as the country operates under Sharia law where gambling is considered "maisir" (forbidden). According to Islamic law, gambling is prohibited on the grounds that participants are induced by wishful hopes to gain by mere chance, with no consideration for the possibility of loss. The Syrian authorities actively enforce gambling bans by blocking access to offshore gambling portals and making it illegal for residents to bet on the internet (1).
"Maisir is totally prohibited by Islamic law on the grounds that the agreement between participants is based on immoral inducement provided by entirely wishful hopes."
Syria has experienced a complex gambling history, with limited casino operations briefly permitted for tourists in high-end hotels before the current conflict began. However, these establishments were closed due to increasingly strict regulations and the country's political instability. The minimum legal age for participating in the only legal form of gambling—the state lottery—is 18 years. Due to ongoing civil unrest since 2011 and the country's conservative religious stance, there is no indication that Syria will relax its gambling laws in the near future (1). While some Syrians attempt to access offshore gambling sites through VPNs, such activities remain illegal and are subject to prosecution under Syrian law (2).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-syria/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maisir
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
