Legal Betting in Syria

Review of Betting Legality in Syria

Gambling in Syria is heavily restricted by law, religion, and social custom. This article discusses the legality of betting services within Syria, reviews the most popular betting activities, and identifies key themes such as the geographical site of gambling and the role of technology-mediated access to gambling.

Legality of Betting in Syria

Syria’s legal system is rooted in Islamic law (Sharia), adhered to by approximately 87% of the population. Gambling is prohibited under Sharia principles and is illegal under the Syrian Penal Code (Articles 618–626). Sports betting and lotteries are punishable by fines or imprisonment. No legal betting avenues or gambling regulators exist. Ongoing conflict since 2011 has weakened enforcement, allowing underground and online betting to persist in a legal gray area.

Popular Betting Platforms

No locally-based betting sites are legally permitted in Syria due to the gambling prohibition. Some Syrians access offshore platforms hosted in jurisdictions like Malta or Curacao, offering sports betting, casino games, and virtual sports, with football betting being the most popular. These platforms operate in a legal gray area, and users face risks of fraud with no legal recourse, as they are unlicensed in Syria.

Local Betting Offices

Local betting offices are nonexistent in Syria, as land-based gambling venues are illegal. Informal underground betting may occur in cities like Damascus and Aleppo, but it is illegal and subject to occasional crackdowns. Without legal betting shops, funds flow to illegal online platforms or illicit backroom operations.

Regulation of the Betting Market

The Syrian Penal Code (Legislative Decree No. 148 of 1949), Articles 618–626, prohibits gambling, with Article 624 specifically targeting betting. Penalties include fines up to SYP 50,000 or imprisonment for up to three months. Online gambling is not explicitly addressed, creating a regulatory gap exploited by offshore sites. The lack of enforcement infrastructure leaves the gambling market entirely illegal and unregulated.

Supplemental Information

• Many offshore platforms use cryptocurrencies for transactions.
• Football betting focuses on European leagues due to their global popularity.
• Unregulated betting pools may rely on agents to facilitate wagers.
• A growing number of bettors use VPNs to bypass Internet restrictions.

Popular Sports for Betting

Football is the dominant sport for betting in Syria, with bettors favoring international leagues such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and UEFA Champions League over the conflict-disrupted Syrian Premier League. Basketball and boxing attract minimal betting interest. Offshore platforms offer in-play betting and streaming services, reinforcing football’s prominence in the betting market.

The Functionality of Online Betting Offshore

Due to domestic prohibitions, most gambling occurs via foreign-based online platforms. These operators provide access to diverse betting markets but pose risks, including unregulated deposits and potential financial crime. Syrian authorities lack jurisdiction over these platforms, and Internet censorship is inconsistent. The high volume of offshore betting reflects strong public interest despite legal and cultural barriers.

Effect of Access to Technology on Gambling

Increased access to mobile phones and the Internet has facilitated betting in Syria. By 2023, over 30% of the population was expected to use the Internet, enabling connections to offshore betting sites, often through VPNs to evade censorship. However, economic challenges and limited infrastructure restrict betting to a niche activity.

Overview of Betting Characteristics in Syria

Aspect	Details
Legal Status	Illegal, prohibited under Penal Code
Popular Platforms	Offshore platforms, unregulated in Syria
Local Betting Offices	None, all physical venues prohibited
Dominant Sport	Football (international leagues)
Regulatory Body	None, no gambling oversight

Conclusion

Betting is illegal in Syria under both Islamic law and the Syrian Penal Code. With no legal betting shops or domestic platforms, gambling has shifted to offshore online platforms, predominantly for football betting. Technological advancements and logistical workarounds enable this activity, but it remains unregulated and underground, shaped by legal, cultural, and infrastructural constraints.