Best Oman Betting Sites

Oman is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It’s an Islamic state running under absolute monarchy. Officially, the Sultanate of Oman has stood since August 9, 1970. Ever since, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said was the hereditary leader of the country. His cousin, Haitham bin Tariq, succeeded him after his death in January 2020. All forms of gambling are illegal, as expected in a Muslim country. A very strict stance is held towards brick-and-mortar gambling.

Reportedly though, there’s an underground illegal gambling scene (camel races, bullfights). Locals have always liked a bit of gambling. Thankfully for them, measures are not as strict on betting sites in Oman. Quite a few international bookies, like Bet365 and 1xBet, accept Omani players and give them the opportunity to enjoy a great betting experience.

Best Betting Sites in Oman

If you are in Oman, here are the best bookies to choose from. They offer competitive odds, great promotions and a vast selection of sports and betting markets.

Betting in Oman - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  Land-based gamblers face fines of 500 OMR and up to 6 months in prison if caught
• 2
  No bookies hold licenses in Oman
• 3
  There are no laws specifically on gambling
• 4
  Some camel races and bullfights take place, but no betting is allowed
• 5
  Avoid any form of gambling you might come across in person, it’s illegal

General info

⏩Population: 4.800.000

⏩Active players: 650.000

⏩Currency: Omani rial (OMR)

⏩Regulated gambling products: No form of gambling is allowed

⏩Operator types: Unlicensed online bookmakers and casinos

⏩Designated authority: No designated gambling authority

⏩Status: Unregulated

Online Gambling in Oman: The Legal Framework

The Oman gambling law is clear; it is illegal in all its forms. It’s a Muslim country, and as is usually the norm, they see it as opposing to people’s prosperity. Accordingly, avoid any form of land-based betting parlor you might come across.

It will definitely be illegal, and the penal law could impose up to six months imprisonment and 500 OMR fine. And no, it shall not be more lenient just because you’re a foreigner. Some duty-free raffles are the only available form of legal gambling. There are no betting shops, casinos or lottery in Oman.

However, Omanis are keen bettors. So, when they don’t lay some underground bets on camel races or bullfights, they go online. The state generally has a more relaxed stance towards online betting.

Yes, it’s still not legal; but not too much of a surveillance is reportedly in place. So, the online environment is quite welcoming here. As one may expect, there’s no tax model for operators or any licensing procedures in place.

Essential Information for Bettors

There is no tax framework for online winnings. This practically means that they are not taxed. However, always keep in mind that it is not legal to gamble (lotteries included). Only some Oman airport lottery raffles you might come across are legal. Any made-up betting shop you might find will also be illegal; so, avoid it.

Keep in mind that if you get caught gambling online in Oman you might face up to three years imprisonment and a fine up to 3000 OMR. With all that in mind, if you still choose to go online, stick to e-wallets and avoid bank transfers.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

There are some reports that sometimes the state blocks access to Oman betting sites. There is however no specific authority to inspect online gambling. Don’t forget that it is still illegal to bet online; therefore stick to e-wallets.

Ecopayz and Webmoney betting sites are both available in Oman and provide anonymity and fast withdrawals. Also, avoid using your credit cards or direct bank transfer to fund your account. The use of VPN software is also important, in order to conceal your PC’s true whereabouts.

List of Betting Sites Accepting Omani Rial

Below we present you a list of the bookmakers which allow you to place your bets at your local currency (OMR).

Gambling Laws in Nearby Countries

A careful examination of the guidelines around gambling in nearby regions reveals the details of online betting systems. By fully understanding them, you can better your knowledge and make more informed decisions:

⏩ Saudi Arabia: Naturally, online gambling is illegal in the country and there are no land-based casinos or betting shops. The online scene follows the same pattern in most cases. However, some top bookies still accept users. You should be careful, though, because there is severe punishment for those who are caught playing on Saudi Arabia betting sites. 

⏩ Egypt: Tourists are allowed to play at land-based casinos, but locals are not. When it comes to online gambling, there is no clear law framework at the moment. This is why users are generally free to access Egypt betting sites online. 

⏩ Qatar: Just like other Muslim states, gambling is strictly prohibited and violators face punishment for breaking the law. Due to the absence of choices domestically, most players are looking for international Qatar betting sites that are willing to accept them. 

⏩ Bahrain: No betting shops or casinos are open in the country and all forms of gambling are illegal. However, the government shows a passive stance when it comes to catching or prosecuting those who sign up at Bahrain betting sites online. 

The Future of Online Betting in Oman

Omanis have traditionally been fond of gambling, this is a fact. However, with gambling being illegal in all its forms, no great signs of optimism are apparent. The country’s great economy is something to be reckoned with. Why so?

Because Oman most probably won’t seek to gain money from allowing gambling, and taxing it afterwards. Bookmakers are not expected to get licenses here any time soon. The online betting environment will probably remain local bettors’ only gambling option for many years to come.