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Pakistan follows very strict rules when it comes to gambling. The country’s laws are strongly shaped by religious beliefs and traditional values. Even though internet use and digital services are growing fast, the rules around gambling have stayed the same for many years. To understand how online casinos work in Pakistan, it is important to look at the law, how it is enforced, and what players face in real life.
Legal Status of Online Casinos in Pakistan
Online gambling is not legal in Pakistan. The country’s laws are based on Islamic principles, where gambling is not allowed. This rule is clearly written into both criminal law and the Constitution.
The main law that covers gambling is the Pakistan Penal Code from 1860. It makes it illegal to run gambling houses, arrange betting, or help people play games for money. These rules do not separate physical gambling from online gambling, so internet-based casinos are also included in the ban.
On top of national law, each province has its own gambling acts. These laws also ban gambling and do not offer any system to give licences to online casinos. Because of this, no local or foreign company is legally allowed to run a real-money online casino for players in Pakistan.
There is no official licensing body for online gambling in the country. This means there are no legal online casinos that are approved by the government. While authorities mainly go after people who run or promote gambling, players are also breaking the law by taking part.
How Online Gambling Works in Real Life
Even with the ban, some people in Pakistan still use foreign websites that run under offshore licences. These sites often accept players from many countries, including Pakistan, even though they are not legal locally.
Pakistan does not block every gambling website across the whole country. Some sites are still reachable, but access can be cut if they are linked to illegal payments or scams.
Paying money is one of the biggest problems. Most local banks do not allow gambling payments. Because of this, some players use digital wallets or cryptocurrencies. This does not make gambling legal and can add more risk, especially if money is lost or accounts are locked.
This situation shows a gap between strong laws and uneven enforcement. Gambling is still illegal, even if every player is not caught or punished.
Other Options for Players in Pakistan
Because of the risks, many people choose safer ways to enjoy games. Social casino games are popular. These games use free virtual coins and do not pay real money, so they usually stay outside gambling laws.
Games of skill, like chess or friendly card games, are also common. Small, casual play is often ignored as long as it does not turn into a business or involve large amounts of money.
Fantasy sports and prediction apps have also become popular, especially those linked to digital payments. Their legal position is unclear, and players should be careful because they may still be treated as gambling if real money is involved.
Risks of Using Online Casinos in Pakistan
- Playing on online casinos in Pakistan can lead to serious problems.
- From a legal side, players can face fines or legal action, especially if their activity becomes public or organised. While police usually focus on operators, users are not fully protected.
- Money risks are high. Foreign casino sites are not controlled by Pakistani law. If a site refuses to pay winnings or blocks an account, there is no local authority to help.
- There is also a strong social and religious view against gambling. If someone is exposed, it can lead to family issues, loss of trust, and damage to their public image.
Recent Trends and Government Action
In recent years, Pakistan has increased checks on online activities, especially those related to fraud, illegal payments, and misuse of digital money. While gambling is not always the main target, sites linked to money crimes often face action.
Religious and political groups continue to oppose any move to legalise gambling. There are no serious talks or plans to create a legal online casino market in the country.
This shows that Pakistan’s strict stand on gambling is not likely to change soon.
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