Understanding where you can legally play, which platforms work, and how upcoming changes might affect access requires looking beyond official restrictions.
What Changed in 2025
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority launched in 2023. By late 2025, two licensed platforms went live: TrueWin and Play971. Poker players found nothing. These platforms focus entirely on slots and table games. No poker rooms yet.
More importantly, UAE nationals can't use these licensed platforms at all. The regulations only permit expats, residents with Golden Visas, naturalized citizens, and tourists. Native Emirati passport? The new regulations don't help you.
Where UAE Players Actually Play Poker
International poker sites remain the reality for everyone - nationals and expats alike.
PokerStars dominates UAE traffic. Massive player pools, tournament schedules aligned with regional hours. Most UAE players access via VPN without issues.
GGPoker has exploded in popularity with younger players. Frequent tournaments, gamified features that keep action constant.
888poker accepts UAE players but sees less traffic due to smaller pools and fewer tournament options.
The real challenge isn't finding poker sites - it's handling money. UAE banking rarely connects directly to international poker platforms. Most players rely on:
- E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) - Most common, though availability varies
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, USDT) - Increasingly popular for privacy and speed
- Prepaid cards - Limited but functional for some platforms
Newer crypto-only platforms like BCPoker are solving payment issues differently. The site accepts only cryptocurrency deposits - Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum - which eliminates banking connection problems entirely. What appeals to UAE players: no mandatory KYC verification. You can deposit, play, and withdraw without identity checks. KYC only kicks in if you claim promotional offers like their $5 no-deposit bonus.
Player pools are smaller than PokerStars or GGPoker, so tournament variety is limited. But for UAE players who've struggled with e-wallet restrictions or don't want gambling transactions showing on bank statements, crypto-only platforms remove those headaches. Payment infrastructure often determines which sites UAE players can realistically use, regardless of legal status.
The VPN Reality
Nearly every UAE poker player uses a VPN. Not just for bypassing blocks - many international poker sites require it for basic connectivity from the region. Most platforms don't prohibit VPN usage when you're accessing from your actual location. Their terms typically restrict it only when hiding your true country to circumvent specific bans - like US players pretending to be elsewhere.
For UAE players using VPN from their actual UAE location, platforms generally don't care. They verify identity through documentation, not IP addresses. But risks exist. Stick with stable VPN connections. Constantly changing server locations raises red flags during withdrawal requests. Pick a server in a poker-friendly jurisdiction - Malta, Cyprus - and stay consistent.
What's Coming in 2026-2027
Wynn Resorts received approval for a land-based casino in Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open in 2027. The resort confirmed it will include poker tables - creating the UAE's first legal poker venue in decades. If positioned correctly, Wynn could attract professional players tracked on the Global Poker Index, potentially establishing the UAE as a legitimate stop on the international poker circuit.
For online players used to grinding PokerStars, the transition to live poker requires adjusting. Many skills transfer, but avoiding common mistakes amateur players make in live poker becomes crucial when playing face-to-face. Still restricted to non-nationals though. UAE citizens remain excluded from Wynn's poker rooms.
GCGRA Online Poker Licenses might arrive sooner than poker tables. While current online casino sites licensed by GCGRA don't offer poker, that's likely temporary. Once slot and table game operations prove stable, poker licenses could follow within 2026.
The real question: will established international platforms seek UAE licenses, or continue operating from offshore jurisdictions? Most UAE players already have PokerStars and GGPoker accounts. Would they switch to locally-licensed but smaller player pools just for legal status?
Skill vs. Gambling: The Legal Argument
One argument gaining attention in UAE legal discussions distinguishes poker from pure gambling based on skill elements. Multiple jurisdictions globally have ruled poker predominantly skill-based when played over sufficient sample sizes.
This argument hasn't succeeded in Gulf states yet, but the UAE's willingness to license gaming suggests potential openness. If poker gets classified as a skill game rather than pure gambling, everything changes for UAE nationals currently excluded from legal gaming.
Practical Advice for UAE Players
Choose established platforms. PokerStars, GGPoker, or 888poker have track records serving international markets. Avoid unknown sites regardless of bonus promises.
Consider crypto-only alternatives if payment is an issue. Platforms like BCPoker work for UAE players who can't access e-wallets or prefer avoiding banking connections. Just understand you're trading larger player pools for payment simplicity.
Test withdrawals early. Deposit small amounts first and verify you can actually withdraw before building significant bankrolls on any platform.
Use stable VPN connections. Frequent location changes cause account flags. Pick one server location and stick with it consistently.
Keep documents ready. International sites may request identity verification anytime. Have passport and address proof easily accessible.
Watch for GCGRA poker licenses. When online poker licenses arrive, evaluate whether locally-licensed platforms offer advantages over international alternatives.
The 2026 Outlook
UAE poker exists in transition. Official policy is evolving faster than most expected, but gaps remain between regulatory progress and actual player access. For UAE nationals, international platforms will stay the primary option through 2026 and likely well beyond. VPN usage remains necessary. Payment methods stay challenging.
For expats and residents, locally-licensed poker might arrive within 18 months if GCGRA expands beyond casino games into poker. The trajectory is clear: the UAE is moving toward regulated gaming rather than prohibition. How quickly that includes poker - and whether it extends to UAE nationals - remains the biggest open question.
For now, thousands of players access international sites daily, VPN providers do steady business, and everyone waits to see whether 2026 brings the poker licenses everyone expects.
