Saudi Arabia Casino Bonuses

Deposit Match Bonuses

One of the most common casino incentives offered by many virtual casinos is the match bonus. It is often provided as a part of a Welcome Offer, matching new players’ first deposits. This incentive may also be a recurring promotion, allowing players to match their qualifying deposits with specific bonuses.

Although players can deposit more than the minimum to claim a larger bonus, there is usually a cap on the amount they can receive. Whenever players wish to withdraw their bonus funds, they need to wager the bonus amount a specific number of times. This is known as the wagering requirement, which is typically detailed in the terms and conditions of match bonuses. Players must fulfill the wagering requirement within a certain period to cash out their bonus funds.

No Deposit Bonuses

Unlike match bonuses, a No Deposit offer lets players claim a bonus without funding their accounts first. However, you should not rush to redeem such an offer, as it is not as free as many believe. Typically, players cannot withdraw the No Deposit bonus itself until they meet the attached wagering requirements. In some cases, only the winnings generated from the No Deposit bonus can be withdrawn, and many casinos impose a limit on the amount that can be cashed out.

Free Spins

Another common incentive offered by virtual casinos provides free spins on a specific slot or several slots within the gaming library. Free spins may be part of a Welcome offer, a No Deposit bonus, or a promotion for returning players.

The casino determines both the number of free spins and the eligible games and lists this information in the promotion’s terms and conditions. The bonus spins also carry a preset value that cannot be exceeded when players place their bonus bets. Winnings generated from free spins are usually credited as bonus funds, which must be wagered a certain number of times before they can be withdrawn. A cap on withdrawable winnings may also apply.

Legal Consequences for Online Gambling in Saudi Arabia

According to Sharia law, which forms the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s legal system, all forms of gambling are illegal. Classified as haram (sinful), gambling is strictly prohibited, and individuals caught engaging in it are heavily prosecuted. Operators that illegally offer gambling services in the kingdom are also subject to legal action. The penalties for illegal gamblers can include a monetary fine and imprisonment for up to six months.

Because gambling is entirely illegal, no local authority regulates the sector or issues licenses to operators. Furthermore, there are no plans to introduce a more lenient regulatory system that would legalize any form of gambling.

Can Using VPN Help Saudi Arabians Circumvent Legal Restrictions?

Although gambling is illegal in many countries, the absence of strict enforcement has created loopholes that still allow some form of online play. Players in certain regions use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access offshore gambling websites and wager real money.

Saudi Arabia imposes some of the world’s strictest Internet censorship, blocking platforms with anti-religious, gambling, or pornographic content. Offshore online casinos are therefore frequently inaccessible. The agency responsible for blocking illegal gambling websites is the Communications and Information Technology Commission in Saudi Arabia. To bypass this censorship, many Saudis turn to VPNs. However, the country has also blocked numerous VPN providers, making it difficult to install such software locally.

Even if a VPN allows Saudi residents to reach offshore casinos, the activity remains illegal. Tourists who wish to gamble online during their stay should also use a VPN, but we recommend installing the VPN software on your devices before you enter the country, as most providers are blocked once you are there.

We still do not recommend that Saudi Arabians gamble online, even with a VPN. While using such software is not illegal, you could deposit funds only to have the site blocked by local ISPs (Internet Service Providers), making real-money play impossible.

No Signs of Legalizing Gambling in Saudi Arabia

While some countries that ban gambling for residents allow more relaxed rules for tourists, Saudi Arabia lacks even land-based venues, making a liberal online framework unlikely.

Since 2016, there have been discussions about building a Vegas-like casino city near Riyadh. A 129-square-mile desert area was set aside for the project, but it is unlikely to materialize before 2030 – if ever. Indeed, many doubt the proposed casino city will ever become a reality.