In Oman, any form of gambling—whether land-based or online—is strictly prohibited under the country’s Penal Code and Cybercrime Law. This prohibition stems from both national legislation and Islamic legal principles, which view gambling as haram (forbidden). Enforcement is led by agencies such as the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Public Prosecution, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. Offshore websites and VPN usage offer no legal protection and are themselves considered violations.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Oman’s Legal Framework
- Enforcement in Practice
- What Is Legally Allowed?
- Legal Activities vs. Offshore Platforms
- What Players & Visitors Should Know
- What you should remember
- FAQs About Gambling in Oman
Understanding Oman’s Legal Framework
Since adopting its Penal Code in 1974, Oman has explicitly banned all forms of gambling. The law defines gambling as any activity involving the staking of money or value on a game of chance where the outcome is predominantly determined by luck rather than skill. A 1997 amendment (Royal Decree No. 7/97) granted authorities the power to confiscate all proceeds, equipment, and materials associated with gambling offenses.
In 2011, Oman passed the Cybercrime Law (Royal Decree No. 12/2011) to criminalize online violations, including:
- Accessing gambling websites
- Promoting or sharing gambling content
- Organizing games of chance online
Under this combined legal structure:
- Organizing or facilitating gambling can lead to 6 months to 3 years in prison, with fines up to OMR 500.
- Players participating in gambling games may face 1 to 6 months in jail and fines between OMR 100 and OMR 500.
- Online offenses carry similar penalties, and digital evidence (such as IP addresses or payment transactions) is admissible in court.
“Omani law does not differentiate between domestic and foreign gambling services, all are prohibited equally under national legislation.” Local Legal Analyst, Muscat
Enforcement in Practice
The Omani government actively monitors and blocks gambling-related domains through its national firewall, and internet service providers (ISPs) are mandated to comply. Over the past decade, multiple underground gambling networks have been dismantled in cities like Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah. Enforcement includes:
- Asset seizures
- Raids on illegal poker games or sports betting setups
- Targeting of online advertising or affiliate links to gambling operators
While individual prosecutions are infrequent, especially for first-time players, the state consistently targets organizers and repeat offenders. VPN use to bypass blocks may itself constitute a separate cybercrime under Omani law.
What Is Legally Allowed?
There are no state-run or privately licensed gambling services in Oman. All traditional gambling activities, such as casinos, online poker rooms, lotteries, or sports betting, are banned.
The only exceptions permitted under commercial law are promotional prize draws or raffles tied to consumer purchases. These include:
- Shopping mall car giveaways
- Airline frequent flyer raffles
- Product-linked scratch-and-win campaigns
These activities are permitted only if they are approved by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and they must avoid any resemblance to games of chance with financial risk.
Legal Activities vs. Offshore Platforms
| Feature | Legal in Oman | Offshore Sites (from Oman) |
|---|---|---|
| Legally authorized | ❌ None | ✅ Accessible but illegal locally |
| ISP blocking | ✅ Enforced | ⚠️ Frequently blocked |
| VPN use | ❌ Illegal to bypass | ⚠️ Common yet punishable |
| Enforcement actions | ✅ Arrests and seizures | ⚠️ Operators prosecuted |
| Penalties | Jail + fines | Risk of legal consequences |
| Consumer protection | 🚫 None | ⚠️ Depends on foreign jurisdiction |
Emerging Trends & Policy Outlook
- Oman continues to expand its digital surveillance capabilities to detect online gambling behaviors.
- Regulatory clarity has improved since 2011, making online enforcement more precise.
- No liberalization of gambling laws is expected, given strong religious and social opposition.
- Authorities are adopting fintech tools to trace transactions related to betting sites, including cryptocurrencies.
“The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Oman maintains an aggressive stance against digital content that promotes or facilitates gambling.”
What Players & Visitors Should Know
If you are residing in or visiting Oman, do not participate in any form of gambling. This includes using foreign betting platforms, entering fantasy sports contests, or downloading casino apps. VPN circumvention is illegal, and public or private gambling can trigger criminal proceedings. Penalties may involve jail time, especially for repeat offenders or those caught organizing games.
What you should remember
Oman enforces one of the most comprehensive bans on gambling in the Gulf region. Backed by a robust legal and religious framework, the country criminalizes both land-based and online betting activities. The regulatory environment is clear: there are no licensed operators, no safe offshore alternatives, and no tolerance for unauthorized games of chance. For residents and tourists alike, the safest course is total avoidance of all gambling-related activities.
For authoritative legal references, consult the Royal Decree No. 7/97 and Cybercrime Law (Royal Decree No. 12/2011) as published in the Omani Ministry of Legal Affairs‘ official database.
FAQs About Gambling in Oman
No, Oman prohibits all gambling, including online, without any sanctioned exceptions.
Organizing gambling: 6 months to 3 years in jail plus fines up to OMR 500. Playing: 1–6 months imprisonment and fines OMR 100–500. Online violations face equivalent penalties.
No. Accessing, promoting, or participating in offshore gambling—even through VPNs—is illegal under Oman’s Cybercrime Law.
Yes, but only if clearly approved by the Ministry and not structured like a lottery. Cash prize contests are rare and closely regulated.
Yes. ISPs are required to block gambling content. Authorities have dismantled illegal operations and are empowered to seize devices and freeze assets linked to violations.
