🇵🇰For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Pakistan for operators: illegal to offer
All commercial gambling is prohibited under the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977. A multi-agency task force actively enforces the ban with increasing sophistication. There is no path to legalisation.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Pakistan is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Online casino · Online poker · Lottery | Banned |
Regulator and player protection in Pakistan
Regulator
Application authority and enforcement body
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Banned or near-banned
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Heads-up for operators
Changes coming in Pakistan · last change 8 Oct 2026
No bill to introduce a regulated gambling framework is recorded. A 2026-27 pre-budget proposal by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA Pakistan) to license online gaming does not appear in the Finance Act, 2026, which received assent on 26 June 2026.
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Pakistan
2 licence types are listed for Pakistan; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial gambling licences issued | — | — | Hudood Ordinances 1977 ban all gambling. |
| Horse-racing Tote (Lahore Race Club) | Punjab government (limited) | Statutory | Continues under colonial-era exception. |
Licensing model
Pakistan has a near-total prohibition. The primary law is the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977. Two state-sanctioned exceptions exist outside a commercial licensing model: 1) On-course horse racing totes, legalized in 1979. 2) Government-issued National Prize Bonds, a lottery-style security under the Public Debt Act, 1944.
Gambling tax and fees in Pakistan
Detail
No legal gambling industry exists. Operators of illegal gambling facilities face up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine under the 1977 Act.
Online offences may be prosecuted with enhanced penalties under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
Year-1 cost: Not applicable
Pakistan does not offer commercial gambling licences. All operations are considered illegal.
Year 1 estimate
Not applicable
There is no legal framework for commercial gambling operators, and therefore no official fee schedule for market entry. Costs relate to fines, legal defence, and asset confiscation rather than regulatory compliance.
Which foreign licences Pakistan accepts
Pakistan recognises none of these 8 foreign licences.
Banned
All foreign licences are legally irrelevant.
Malta (MGA) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB) · Alderney (AGCC)
MGA-licensed operators are actively blocked by the PTA.
United Kingdom (UKGC)
UKGC-licensed operators like Bet365 are actively blocked by the PTA.
Curaçao
Curaçao-licensed operators like 1xBet and 22Bet are frequently targeted and blocked by the PTA.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses banned
Bonuses bannedInducement ads: Banned
As a prohibited jurisdiction, Pakistan has no specific regulatory framework for gambling bonuses or promotions. All such activities are considered illegal by extension of the blanket ban on gambling itself. The state focuses entirely on prohibition and enforcement.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- VIP schemes
- Banned
- Loyalty schemes
- Banned
- Cashback
- Banned
All forms of bonuses and promotions are illegal as they are considered inducements to participate in a prohibited activity.
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- All channels
- Penalties
There are no specific fines for bonus violations; the entire gambling operation is subject to criminal prosecution, including imprisonment and fines under the Prevention of Gambling Act and more severe penalties under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Enforcement focuses on blocking access to gambling services rather than penalizing specific advertising or bonus infractions.
Recent advertising-violation cases
| Date | Operator | Violation | Penalty | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Aug 2025 | 46 mobile applications, including 1xBet, Bet365, Dafabet, and 22Bet | The apps were declared illegal for facilitating online gambling, unregulated trading, and violating data privacy. | Nationwide blocking of applications by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). | Tribuna.com |
| 6 Aug 2025 | 184 gambling-related websites and applications | The platforms were blocked for being associated with illegal gambling and betting following public complaints. | Complete blocking of the websites and apps by the PTA. | ARY News |
Advertising: banned or near-banned
Based on a long-standing legal framework, all forms of gambling advertising are strictly illegal in Pakistan. There is no difference in rules for Sportsbook versus Online Casino, as both are equally prohibited across all marketing channels. Enforcement by authorities like the PTA and FIA intensified in 2025-2026, with a focus on blocking offshore operators and applications.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Banned | Google's advertising policy prohibits gambling promotion in Pakistan, so the country is ineligible for the certification available in other jurisdictions. Global policy updates in March 2026 introduced stricter requirements like “good policy health”, but these do not apply as the country is a prohibited territory.34 |
| App Store Publishing | Banned | Publishing real-money gambling apps is impossible as Apple's Guideline 5.3 requires local licensing, which is unavailable in Pakistan. The PTA and NCCIA actively enforce this and blocked 46 gambling apps in August 2025, including major international brands.567 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Banned | Since real-money gambling apps cannot be published on the Google Play or Apple App Stores for the Pakistani market, they are also ineligible for promotion. Advertising eligibility is directly tied to an app's publishability, so all related ads are banned.89 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Banned | Meta's policy explicitly lists Pakistan as a country where gambling promotions are forbidden, and the “Prior Written Permission” process is not available. Despite this official ban, January 2026 reports indicate enforcement gaps: illegal ads still appear on the platforms.101112 |
| TV & Radio | Banned | The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a directive banning the broadcast of advertisements from surrogate companies that promote gambling. This ban applies to all TV channels and radio stations without exception.131415 |
| Sponsorships | Banned | The Peshawar High Court has banned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from signing sponsorship deals with any betting companies. Consequently, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is enforcing stricter guidelines from 2026 and prohibits any team association with betting or surrogate brands.161718 |
| Digital OOH | Banned | All gambling advertising is illegal under the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977, which covers both physical and digital media. Given the aggressive enforcement by the FIA and PTA against online platforms, any digital billboard ads would face immediate legal action.1920 |
Channel rules for Pakistan reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Pakistan enforces against unlicensed operators
Enforcement against illegal gambling in Pakistan is aggressive, coordinated, and continuous. A multi-agency task force led by the FIA's NCCIA actively pursues operators, local agents, and marketing affiliates. Actions include criminal prosecutions, arrests, ISP blocking, and the freezing of financial assets.
- In 2025, the NCCIA froze over 46,000 bank accounts and digital wallets linked to online financial fraud, including gambling.
- In September 2025, criminal cases were filed against multiple high-profile YouTubers for promoting illegal gambling apps.
- The FIA's 2025 annual report showed it secured 4,244 convictions and made 2,333 arrests across its mandates, which include cybercrime.
- In November 2025, the FIA registered a major corruption case against its own NCCIA officers for allegedly taking bribes to protect illegal online operations.
Enforcement cases in Pakistan: 5 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Pakistan. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- April 2026
Bet Pro (and associated individuals)
Grey-MarketArrests and criminal proceedingsAlleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities through the 'Bet Pro' app and associated websites.
Read-across: Shows that even smaller-scale, localized illegal online gambling operations are subject to raids and arrests by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
- November 2025
1win.com (and associated individuals)
Grey-MarketArrests and criminal investigationInvolvement in an international online cricket betting ring with links to multiple countries.
Read-across: Highlights the Federal Investigation Agency's focus on dismantling organized criminal networks involved in online betting. This increases the risk of prosecution for individuals associated with such operations.
- August 2025
1xBet, Betway, Dafabet, 22Bet, Melbet, Parimatch, Bet365, and others
Grey-MarketISP/App blockingOperating in a prohibited market and harvesting user data without consent.
Read-across: Demonstrates a coordinated effort by cybercrime authorities to block access to offshore betting sites. This increases the risk for operators targeting the country.
- August 2025
A YouTuber
AdvertisingArrest and criminal proceedingsAllegedly promoting illegal online gambling and betting applications, including Binomo, 1xBet, and Bet365, through his YouTube channel.
Read-across: Signals a crackdown on local marketing affiliates and influencers. This disrupts a key channel for offshore operators to reach Pakistani players.
- May 2025
Unnamed gambling operators and individuals
Grey-Market1,518 arrests and seizure of fundsLarge-scale police crackdown on both physical and online gambling operations in Lahore.
Read-across: Indicates a sustained and broad-based enforcement effort at the provincial level against all forms of illegal gambling. This creates a hostile operational environment.
Black-market turnover: 0.11B USD
Estimated illegal-market turnover in Pakistan is approximately 110 million USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Cricket (illegal). Online gambling represents 0% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is On-course horse racing tote (Lahore and Karachi Race Clubs); National Prize Bonds (a state-run, lottery-style security issued under the Public Debt Act, 1944)..
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0B USD0.0%
- Sports betting0.088B USD80.0%
- Casino0.022B USD20.0%
- Lottery0B USD0.0%
Source: Polaris Sports Betting Industry Outlook. Splits: online-casino 20.0%, sports 80.0%, land-based 0.0%, lottery 0.0%.
GGR figure25
Licensed operators: none
As of 8 Oct 2026, no operator holds an active online licence in Pakistan.
Notable licensed operators
Traps operators hit in Pakistan
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Criminal Prosecution of Local Affiliates and Agents
The FIA and NCCIA actively target and prosecute local individuals who promote, market, or facilitate payments for offshore gambling sites, including high-profile social media influencers. Operators relying on a local affiliate network face significant disruption and legal exposure for their partners.
Sources23
Advanced Financial and Crypto-Transaction Monitoring
The Virtual Assets Act 2026 and enhanced monitoring by the State Bank of Pakistan are designed to trace and block illicit funds. Operators using cryptocurrencies or traditional payment rails face increased difficulty moving funds as licensed VASPs are subject to a formal regulatory and reporting framework.
Coordinated ISP and App Store Blocking
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) acts on directives from the FIA to block websites and mobile applications. This continuous campaign targets major international brands. It creates significant friction for customer acquisition and retention, even if circumvention is possible.
Timeline: rules in force
- April 2026
Virtual Assets Act Implemented, SBP Reverses Banking Ban
The Virtual Assets Act created the PVARA regulator. The SBP then allowed licensed VASPs to open bank accounts, a move to bring the crypto sector under regulatory oversight to combat illicit financing.
Source: 26
- September 2025
Crackdown on Social Media Marketing Intensifies
The NCCIA began filing high-profile criminal cases against YouTubers and social media influencers for promoting illegal gambling applications. This signalled a new front in enforcement.
Source: 30
- 2018
State Bank of Pakistan Bans Banks from Crypto Dealings
The SBP issued a circular prohibiting all regulated financial institutions from dealing in virtual currencies. This cut the crypto market off from the formal banking system.
Source: 27
- 2016
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Passed
This act provided the FIA and PTA with a modern legal framework to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes, including illegal online gambling, with enhanced penalties.
Source: 31
- 1977
Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977 Enacted
The foundational law was passed and established a near-total prohibition on gambling across Pakistan.
Source: 32
Operator myths vs reality in Pakistan
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythA Curaçao or Malta license provides legal cover to accept players from Pakistan.
- MythEnforcement is weak and only focuses on physical betting dens.
- MythPakistan is an unregulated 'grey' market.
Markets that work like Pakistan
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- AfghanistanAI overviewTurkmenistanAI overviewIranAI overviewOmanAI overviewQatarAI overview
Online casino, betting, poker and lottery banned; most ad channels banned; foreign licences mostly banned.
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Pakistan
Documents cited on this page
- 1ARY News
- 2Tribuna.com
- 3Google Ads Gambling and Games Policy Update (March 2026)
- 4Search Engine Roundtable - Google Prohibits Offline Gambling Ads
- 5SiGMA World - Pakistan bans 46 illegal gambling apps
- 6Apple App Store Review Guideline 5.3 Info
- 7iGamingToday - Pakistan bans 46 apps
- 8Apple Legal - App Store Review Guidelines
- 9Google Play Developer Policy Center - Real-Money Gambling
- 10SBC Eurasia - Meta Updates Its Gambling Advertising Policy
- 11SiGMA World - Meta boosts illegal gambling ads despite global warnings
- 12Tribuna - Meta runs ads promoting illegal gambling
- 13Radio Pakistan - PEMRA prohibits broadcast of surrogate companies’ advertisement
- 14Business Recorder - PEMRA bans broadcast of surrogate companies' advertisements
- 15APP - PEMRA prohibits broadcast, distribution of surrogate company ads
- 16SportsPro Media - Pakistan Cricket Board banned from signing betting sponsorships
- 17CricExec - PCB bans betting and alcohol sponsors
- 18ProPakistani - PCB to Ban 'Un-Islamic' Sponsors in PSL
- 19iGamingToday - Gambling Regulation in Pakistan
- 20Pakistan Press Foundation - 184 Gambling And Betting Websites, Apps Blocked By PTA
- 21NCCIA Account Freezes (The Nation)
- 22FIA 2025 Annual Report (APP)
- 23YouTuber Prosecutions (Digital Rights Monitor)
- 24FIA Corruption Case (Pakistan Today)
- 25Polaris Sports Betting Industry Outlook
- 26SBP Circular Letter No. 10
- 27SBP Financial Stability Review (2022)
- 28Gambling Regulation in Pakistan (iGamingToday)
- 29Gambling and Digital Betting in Pakistan (ResearchGate)
- 30Digital Rights Monitor
- 31Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Wikipedia)
- 32The Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977
- 33Pakistan Betting Sites (SBO.net)
- 34Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
- 35Prevention of Gambling Act, 1977 (City Laws)
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Pakistan (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Pakistan player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 8 Oct 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and its National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) wing (enforcement); Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) (blocking). We are not a legal adviser.