Google has allowed the advertising of online gambling in the UAE
Google Ads has updated its advertising policy regarding gambling for the UAE. The new changes came into effect in March 2026.
According to the new rules, it is now possible to advertise online gambling, including lotteries and sports betting, in the UAE. However, advertisers must first obtain a license from the local regulator — the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Additionally, they are required to undergo certification with Google Ads.
Previously, the platform's policy significantly restricted the promotion of gambling in the UAE. Notably, offline gambling advertising is still prohibited in the region as it is banned by law. Similar restrictions are in place in China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, India, Estonia, Bulgaria, Italy, and more than a dozen other countries.