Qatar

Qatar bans all gambling, including casinos, lotteries, poker, sports betting, online gambling and betting on animal racing. Gambling is a criminal offence under the Penal Code (Law No. 11 of 2004), Articles 274 to 277, and the ban is rooted in the Islamic law that shapes Qatar's legal system.

There is no gambling regulator, no licensing system and no legal minimum gambling age, because the activity is banned outright. Horse and camel racing are popular and state-supported through the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, but they run as prize-based competitions with no real-money betting. No reform in 2025 or 2026 has loosened the ban, and prediction markets fall under it too.

What the Penal Code Says

Article 274 defines gambling as any game where gain or loss depends on luck rather than controlled factors and each party agrees to pay the winner if they lose. Most interpretations of Islamic law treat sports betting, casino games and poker alike as gambling.

• Taking part (Article 275): up to three months in prison and a fine of up to 3,000 riyals, or either penalty. Gambling in a public place, openly, or somewhere set up for it raises the maximum to six months and 6,000 riyals.
• Running or organising gambling (Article 276): up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 riyals, or either penalty.
• Confiscation (Article 277): the court confiscates the materials, money and equipment used and orders the premises closed.

Is 1xBet Legal in Qatar?

No. Qatar issues no betting licences at all, so 1xBet and every other betting site operate there without one. Whatever licence an offshore bookmaker holds elsewhere has no effect under Qatari law. Article 275 makes the person who gambles the offender, so anyone who bets on 1xBet or any other site from Qatar faces the penalty, wherever the operator is based. The same applies to any brand that advertises to Qatari players.