If you’re based in the UAE and want to know how to cash out safely from online casinos, read this. Here’s a quick summary based on my experience of what works right now, and what will just lead to blocked transactions and endless calls.
Commercial gaming without a GCGRA license is illegal, and consumers who play via unlicensed operators may also be subject to penalties.
1. The Local Wallet Trap: Don’t Even Bother
Most UAE super-app wallets and bank-backed fintech products are designed for bills, remittances, and everyday spending.
So when a casino deposit/withdrawal is clearly tagged as gambling transactions to be coded under MCC 7995, UAE-linked payment rails can decline it.
- Careem Pay / Payit / e& money: Instant block. These are tied to local banks (FAB, ENBD) and telecom regulators. They have strict internal protocols to flag and decline anything related to offshore gambling.
- Tabby / Tamara (BNPL): Absolutely impossible. These services are for purchasing retail goods, not funding a high-risk account.
If you put one of these local apps in your review as a payment option, you’re just setting players up for failure.
2. The Skrill / Neteller Headache (The Old Way Is Broken)
For years, the workaround was simple: Use an international e-wallet as a bridge to your casino account.
The Problem Now: Local UAE banks (like ENBD) have tightened controls. Getting the money off the casino and into Skrill is usually fine, but local banks can still refuse incoming transfers tied to high-risk or gambling-adjacent activity — because the risk sits with the receiving institution. This pattern aligns with how 7995 restrictions affect real-world authorizations and downstream transfers.
The Way That Works — Crypto
Here are some suggestions about cashing out via crypto and then converting to AED through P2P before funds reach a local bank. Be aware banks like Emirates NBD and FAB may temporarily lock incoming funds and ask for justification.
P2P is fine, but split the transactions into smaller amounts, and don’t cash out all at once. – Reddit user.
The fact-safe takeaway is simple: the crypto → P2P → local bank path can be a solution because it’s perceived as workable, but the recurring pain points are compliance questions, temporary holds, and heightened scrutiny around larger sums.
Some crypto-friendly casinos available in the UAE:
