Is gambling halal or harm: Read the following verse from the Quran.
“O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificial] stones, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Quran, Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:90)
Why Does Islamic Law Prohibit Gambling?
Islamic law prohibits gambling for several reasons:
- Unjust Wealth Transfer: Gambling involves taking money without fair exchange or effort, which is unfair and undermines honest work.
- Social and Moral Harm: It can cause addiction, financial ruin, family breakdown, and social discord.
- Distraction from Faith: Gambling distracts from prayer and remembrance of God, fostering laziness and idleness.
- Promotion of Negative Traits: It encourages greed, envy, and enmity among participants.
Islamic scholars and all major schools of thought agree: any form of gambling is haram, regardless of whether it is online or offline.
The Legitimacy of Online Gambling in Islam
Online gambling is also haram in Islam. The digital format of casino games does not change the underlying prohibition. Whether betting in a physical casino or on an online platform, the same rules apply: if money or valuables are staked on chance, it is forbidden.
Online casinos and betting sites are not exempt from Shariah law; they simply offer a new medium for the same prohibited activity. Legal consequences in some Muslim-majority countries include heavy fines and imprisonment for online gambling, reflecting both religious and civil law.
How to Access Halal Gambling Games
Islam does not permit gambling in any form where money or valuables are at stake. However, there are game formats that can be enjoyed without violating Islamic principles:
Gambling Halal? What’s the Criteria?
- No Monetary Stakes: Games must not involve betting money or items of value.
- Skill-Based Only: Games of skill (chess, trivia, e-sports) are allowed if played for fun, not for profit or prizes with monetary value.
- No Loss or Gain of Property: The outcome should not result in one party losing and another gaining property or money by chance.
Some websites and sports platforms allow users to predict sports outcomes for points or reputation, rather than monetary rewards. Thus, this gives the excitement of competition without the vice of gambling, aligning with Islamic values.
“They’re ‘betting’, but not with money… They want to prove to their friends that they are smarter than them, and that’s what Hajem lets them do.” — Zaid Abu Soud, Hajem Sports founder.
How to Play Halal Gambling
Halal alternatives focus on skill, knowledge, or friendly competition—never chance or monetary gain:
- Play games for points, badges, or reputation, not cash or prizes.
- Join trivia nights, chess tournaments, or e-sports leagues where no money changes hands.
- If prizes are involved, ensure player entry fees or stakes do not fund them, but rather are funded by sponsors or organizers.
Final Words About Gambling Games
As an industry expert and practicing Muslim, I have seen firsthand how easy it is for “harmless” games to cross into haram territory online. Many platforms now market themselves as “gambling halal” or “halal casinos,” but unless every aspect of their operations avoids chance-based betting and monetary stakes, these claims are often misleading.
Always seek guidance from qualified scholars and double-check the rules before joining any game. For further reading, consult trusted authorities on Islamic finance and ethics, and remember: true halal gaming never risks your wealth or your faith.
