Is online gambling legal in Brunei?

Online gambling is not legal here. Playing on offshore sites can get you into legal trouble.

Online sports betting is banned in Brunei. Online casino is banned in Brunei. Online poker is banned in Brunei. The lottery is banned in Brunei.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Brunei: Restricted.

Gambling with crypto: Banned.

We have no record of a minimum gambling age in Brunei.

Sharia Penal Code 2014 prescribes severe penalties for gambling. Brunei has no personal income tax in any case.

No operator holds an active online licence in Brunei as of 2 Jun 2026.

No national licence for online gambling exists here, so a site taking deposits from players in Brunei is not licensed locally, whatever licence it shows from elsewhere.

Ministry of Home Affairs (civil enforcement under Common Gaming Houses Act) & Ministry of Religious Affairs (Sharia guidance and enforcement under Syariah Penal Code)'s website

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  Verify any 'licensed' operator is a scam

  Brunei issues zero gambling licenses. Any website or service claiming to be 'licensed in Brunei' is fraudulent. There is no government body that authorizes or regulates gambling.

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  Avoid all online gambling sites

  All online gambling is illegal, and the government actively blocks access to offshore sites. Participating can lead to criminal prosecution.

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  Recognize that 'amusement' games can be illegal

  Following the 2024 ban on claw machines, be aware that the definition of gambling is broad and strictly interpreted. Games of chance involving a stake and a prize are prohibited.

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  Understand the dual legal jeopardy

  Gambling is illegal under both civil law and Islamic law (Syariah Penal Code). This means enforcement is comprehensive and penalties can be severe.

What the rules mean for bonus offers you see in Brunei. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Brunei. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.

1. 1

   1. No legal recourse

   There is no regulatory body, ombudsman, or court that will hear a dispute related to gambling winnings or losses, as the activity itself is a criminal offense. Any gambling contract is void and unenforceable.

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   2. Reporting illegal activity

   Players who have been defrauded can report the illegal operation to the Royal Brunei Police Force. However, this may expose the player themselves to criminal liability for participating in illegal gambling.

• Myth

  It's safe to play on foreign websites using a VPN.
  Reality

  This is false. While VPNs are not illegal for general use, using one to access gambling sites is a criminal offense. The government monitors internet traffic and actively prosecutes individuals caught gambling online.

• Myth

  Small bets with friends on games like 'katam-katam' are not a crime.
  Reality

  Incorrect. Even small-scale, informal gambling is illegal. The Royal Brunei Police Force frequently conducts raids on private residences and public spaces, arresting individuals for playing traditional games like katam-katam for money.

• Myth

  Claw machines are just an arcade game, not gambling.
  Reality

  As of March 2024, this is no longer true. The government officially banned claw machines and classified them as a form of gambling based on a religious fatwa. Operating or playing these machines is now illegal.