It is easy to feel the excitement of betting on Arabian football pro leagues when you join the best betting sites in the United Arab Emirates. Keep reading to discover the top UAE online bookmakers and the perks they offer.
Top Sports Betting Sites in the United Arab Emirates
Arabian football pro leagues have world-class players and produce super-competitive matches. And the best way to experience the magic of Arabian competitive football is to bet on it. However, to do this, you need to sign up with a reliable UAE betting site. If you are having trouble finding one, fret not. We can help. Our experts analyse and review UAE sports betting sites for you. The online sportsbooks we feature have the betting markets you need and the competitive odds you deserve. Check out our shortlisted online betting sites and join the one that ticks all the boxes.
Is Sports Betting Legal in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East Countries?
Betting on sports is illegal in Saudi Arabia and across other countries in the Middle East. That also includes the UAE and Dubai. So, if you are betting or gambling in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, you are at risk of being fined or penalised.
At this point, you might be confused about how the best sports betting sites can accept players from the UAE and the Middle East. The answer is simple. Because these online betting sites are based offshore, they don’t fall under the jurisdiction of Saudi or UAE authorities and regulators. So, they cannot be closed or banned.
Understanding the Arabian Football Pro Leagues
Football in the Middle East has a rich tradition, but it is fair to say that compared to European and South American domestic competitions, Arabian football pro leagues were established somewhat later. For instance, the UAE and Saudi Arabia pro leagues were both founded in the 1970s.
However, looking at football betting trends among Arab bettors, you wouldn’t say that Arabian football pro leagues had a late start. In fact, they receive more betting traffic than some of Europe’s top leagues.
Football on the Arabian Peninsula has social and political dimensions. So it doesn’t surprise that Saudi and UAE rulers are enthusiastic supporters of the sport, especially when it comes to finances.
For example, the recent spending spree of Saudi football clubs was bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund. The fund is chaired by the crown prince and used to perform investments on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia. The UAE Pro League is also financed in part by the UAE Government as it is currently partnered with a state-owned oil company.
Saudi Pro League
Founded in 1976, the Saudi top tier consists of 18 teams that compete in a double round-robin format, meaning each team plays a total of 34 games. The top three teams, plus the winner of the King Cup, qualify for the AFC Champions League, while the three worst teams are relegated to the Saudi First Division League.
The Saudi Pro League exploded in popularity in recent years when some of the best players in the world, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Franck Kessie, and N’Golo Kante, joined Pro League football teams. However, the Saudi Pro League officials said they were only trailblazers and that more stars would soon follow as the Saudi spending was not a one-off.
UAE Pro League
The UAE Pro League was established in 1973. The 1973–74 season was actually a trial but was later declared official. The UAE Pro League has 14 teams and is played from October to March. As with the Saudi Pro League, it is in a double round-robin format, so teams play each other twice, with each team playing 26 matches. The teams with the best league ranking qualify for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup, while the two worst teams are relegated to the First Division.
In terms of championship titles, Al Ain is the most successful club, while Al Ahli, Al Wasl, and Sharjah have had their fair share of UAE Pro League glory too. Despite Al Ain winning the most championships, Dubai is the football hub in the UAE, as it is represented by four multiple championship winners: Al Ahli, Al Wasl, Al Nasr, and Al Shabab.
How to Choose the Best Sites for Betting on Arabic Football Leagues
If you want to make each bet count and maximise your chances of success, you should join the best sites for betting on Arabic football leagues. The best betting sites in UAE provide you with the tools you need to make the most of your betting adventure. And we can help you find them. Let’s look at four crucial criteria that separate top online betting sites from second-rate bookies.
Estimated Time Needed : 00:04Tools needed: PC, SmartphoneSupplies needed: Time, Money
Step 1
Licensing and Regulation
The sports betting site you pick must have a valid license. Ideally, that betting concession should be issued by a reputable regulator. Only with licenced betting sites can you be sure that your interests as a bettor are protected.
Step 2
Odds and Markets
Look for sportsbooks that have your favourite football markets. They should let you bet on a wide range of pre-match and in-play bet types. They should also offer competitive betting odds and work with minimal profit margins that favour sports bettors.
Step 3
Bonuses and Promotions
Always check whether sports betting UAE sites have enticing promotions. Welcome bonuses and free bets allow you to wager without risking your funds. Cashback, reload bonuses, and loyalty programme benefits come in handy too.
Step 4
Payment Options
Always check the “Cashier” section of a sports betting site. You want to see as many deposit and withdrawal methods as possible, from banking cards to e-wallets, instant bank transfers, and prepaid systems. While you are there, also analyse whether the deposit and withdrawal limits will work for you.
Best Sports Betting Sites in United Arab Emirates
Nothing beats landing a winning bet in the last seconds of a football match. However, if you play at inferior sportsbooks, you will miss out on that thrill. Mediocre bookmakers don’t have the football events you crave and the competitive betting odds and markets you deserve. In contrast, the best football betting sites in the United Arab Emirates offer tonnes of football matches and bettor-friendly odds and markets. So, if you are looking to enjoy every second of every match, top sports betting sites, such as those we feature at Liban, are the way to go.
Top United Arab Emirates Football Teams to Bet on in 2023
The United Arab Emirates Pro League is one of the most competitive domestic competitions in the Middle East. There are quite a lot of quality football teams vying for the top spots and AFC Champions League or AFC Cup qualification. Here we look at three of the best UAE football teams to bet on in 2023. These teams have a rich and illustrious history and have won their fair share of trophies. The fact that they have signed some top-quality players will definitely make them interesting betting options for enthusiastic online bettors.
1 – Al-Ain FC: Multiple UAE Pro League Champions with a Point to Prove
Al Ain FC is the team with the most Pro League championship titles. The 14-time UAE champions last won the Pro League in the 2021–22 season but missed out on the title in 2023, losing out to arch-rivals Al Ahli. So, they will be a team on a mission in 2023–24 and aim to reclaim the title they feel they should have won after ending second by only three points last season.
And make no mistake, the decorated UAE league side can mount a serious title challenge. Led by prolific goal scorer Kodjo Laba and captain Bandar Al-Ahbabi, Al Ain can beat anyone. If they want to reclaim the title, though, they will need to bring their A-game to matches like the Abu Dhabi Classico versus rivals Al Wahda and in games against reigning champions Al Ahli.
2 – Al-Ahli FC: Will Do Their Best to Defend the UAE Pro League Title
Al Ahli FC is the reigning UAE Pro League champion, so the Dubai-based team is probably your best bet if you are looking for a team to back in the outright and futures markets. Al Ahli FC has won eight UAE Pro League titles so far and is second only to Al Ain when it comes to the number of championships won.
Frequently ranked as one of the best clubs in Asia, Al Ahli gained worldwide prominence when it signed world-class stars such as Fabio Cannavaro, Ricardo Quaresma, and Grafite in the early 2010s.
The club doesn’t have such big-name players currently, but big things will be expected from former Red Bull Salzburg and TSG Hoffenheim striker Mu’nas Dabbur, who joined in the 2023 summer. Fans will also hope that former Deportivo La Coruna and Braga winger Federico Cartabia replicates his 2022–23 heroics and helps the team win another title.
3 – Al-Wahda FC: A Smart UAE Pro League Title Bet with Competitive Betting Odds
Al Wahda Football Club is an Abu Dhabi-based side that was founded in 1974 and won its first UAE league title in 1999. Al Wahda would probably lose in a popularity contest if put next to Abu Dhabi rival Al Ahli.
However, the team’s performances on the pitch are more important to bettors, and despite winning the Pro League only four times, Al Wahda is one of the most consistent teams performance-wise. The team finished third in the last two seasons and has always been a contender in international competitions such as the AFC Champions League.
In fact, the club reached the AFC Champions League quarterfinals in 2021, so it might be smart to back the Abu Dhabi club to perform well in the domestic championship and once again qualify for Asia’s top football competition. The betting odds for that prediction will likely be quite competitive too.
Saudi Pro League vs UAE Pro League
Both the Saudi Arabian and UAE football top tiers offer a wide range of options for betting on Arabian football pro leagues. But which one is better suited to your online gambling style? Let’s find out. We will put the Saudi Pro League and UAE Pro League side by side and let you decide which suits you more.
UAE Pro League
Attracts bigger football names, e.g. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, etc.
More matches to bet on, with a total of 34 rounds being played each season
A wide range of pre-match and in-play markets to bet on
The league gets phenomenal financial backing
TV coverage improves each season and has sky-rocketed recently
vs
Saudi Pro League
There are a lot of quality players but not many world-class stars
Teams play 26 gameweeks per season, resulting in shorter seasons and fewer betting options
Sports bettors benefit from a fantastic selection of pre-match and live betting options
Money is never an issue and sponsorship deals are quite lucrative
Live broadcasts of UAE Pro League matches are easy to find and watch
Mobile Betting for Arabian Sports Betting Enthusiasts
Whether you are a bettor wagering on the UAE Pro League or a gambler enjoying online casino games, you must have access to top-quality mobile betting apps. The best online gambling sites in the UAE usually have dedicated betting apps or mobile-friendly platforms so that you can play at mobile casinos and sportsbooks on the go, wherever you are.
And betting on the go is not the only perk of mobile betting apps. Downloading an app often comes with additional benefits such as mobile-only free bet promos, easy access to betting tips, special offers for your favourite sports, in-play betting specials, unique betting features, boosted betting odds, and much more.
Conclusion – Check Out Top UAE Sports Betting Sites for an Unrivalled Betting Experience!
Betting on Arabian football pro leagues offers endless possibilities and betting options, particularly when you join the best online betting sites in the UAE. Top UAE online betting sites boast a varied selection of markets and competitive odds and, most importantly, have the Saudi and UAE Pro League matches you are looking for.
And if you thought that to bet on sports and casino games, you would have to join different gambling sites, think again. The best betting sites for United Arab Emirates players give you everything you need. They allow you to bet on enticing sports betting markets, but they also let you play casino games from the best software providers.
So, now you know the perks of joining top UAE betting sites. All you need to do is find the online bookmaker that suits your betting needs. We can assist with that too. Check out our expert-vetted online casinos and sportsbooks and benefit from the best odds, sports markets, free bets, VIP programmes, and more. Betting on Arabian football pro leagues has never been this easy!
FAQ
We hope we gave you enough information to help you place educated bets on Arabian football. However, we also know that there is always room for additional information. To that end, we invite you to check our FAQ section and see if you find some of your queries there.
Is Online Betting Legal in UAE?
All forms of online betting and gambling are illegal in the UAE. If you participate in any form of wagering, you are breaching online gambling laws and risking punishment in the UEA. That said, offshore betting sites that accept UAE and Saudi players are licenced by reputable regulators and help punters bet safely online.
Which Betting Apps Are Allowed in UAE?
Betting apps and betting websites are not allowed in the UAE. The United Arab Emirates has strict laws that prohibit all forms of gambling. However, don’t be surprised if you can access international mobile betting apps, as these don’t fall under the jurisdiction of Arabian regulators.
What Are the Top UAE Betting Sites?
The best UAE betting sites have a fantastic selection of popular sports, ranging from football and horse racing to competitions such as the UAE National Basketball League and the Dubai Tennis Championships. Top betting sites also give sports enthusiasts the best betting odds and betting app options, and they even offer casino games and jackpot slots in addition to sports bets.
Which Betting Sites Work in Dubai?
There are no Dubai betting sites that operate from the city, as gambling is illegal in the UAE. However, there are many quality international bookmakers that accept Dubai players. These betting sites are based offshore, so they aren’t regulated by UAE authorities. You can check our top lists of sportsbooks and online casinos to find the best ones for you and start betting on your favourite teams right away.
Fadi Hayek
Author & Casino Expert
After going through several successful experiences with several industry pioneers, Fadi Hayek has managed to excel in the world of content for online gaming by providing unique content for several projects that allowed him to obtain the necessary experience to launch his career. Last but not least, Fadi also holds several certificates, including but not limited to content marketing and iGaming.
As online casinos adopt machine learning models and artificial intelligence in gambling becomes the next disruption, you don’t want to be left behind. Read on to learn about the impact AI will have on the future of the gambling industry.
Keep abreast of the latest Arabian football betting trends with our Arabian sports betting insights. We give you crucial information about the most popular bet types with Arab bettors and list the top bookmakers for Arabian and global football competitions.
Yggdrasil and Reflex are set to launch Dublin Up DoubleMax, an Irish-style video, as one of their latest releases. The slot game is designed by incorporating Yggdrasil’s proprietary Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) DoubleMax coupled with unique features like free spins bonus and fairy magic.