Is online gambling legal in Jordan?

No. There is no licence for online casino, betting or poker. The Penal Code punishes running a gambling place, and the Electronic Crimes Law, art. 26, applies the same penalties to offences committed online. The only lawful gambling product is the Jordan Charity Lottery.

Who runs the lottery in Jordan?

Only the General Union of Voluntary Associations may hold a cash-prize lottery (Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 14). Since 2023 it is issued by a National Committee chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Development, and distribution is contracted out by tender.

Can the Jordan Charity Lottery be sold electronically?

Yes. Art. 4 of Regulation No. 161 of 2019 allows paper, electronic and scratch issues, and electronic and scratch sales began in December 2021 through a contracted distributor.

Are lottery winnings taxed?

Yes. Income from prizes and lotteries is subject to a 15% final withholding tax where any single prize exceeds JOD 1,000 (Income Tax Law No. 34 of 2014, art. 12(a)(3)).

Is it an offence to gamble?

Anyone found in a public gambling place is presumed to be gambling and is fined up to JOD 5 the first time, then up to JOD 10 or up to three months in prison (Penal Code art. 395). No text or judgment found settles whether this reaches online play from home.

Does Jordan block gambling websites?

Yes. Prosecutors and courts can order sites and platforms blocked under the Electronic Crimes Law, art. 33, and a TRC official said in July 2026 that the commission blocks gambling sites and apps through internet service providers. No list or count is published.

Sovereign state

Asia

ISO JO

Jordan: gambling regulation and licensing

Online casinoProhibited
Online sports bettingProhibited
Online pokerProhibited
iLotteryMonopoly
Horse race bettingNot yet verified
Land-based (reference)Prohibited

Regulator: Ministry of Social Development
Headline tax: Not yet verified
Licence required: Yes
Last verified: 23 Sept 2026

Summary

Jordan prohibits commercial gambling and has no gambling regulator. The Penal Code, No. 16 of 1960, punishes anyone who runs a public gambling place with up to six months in prison and a fine of up to JOD 50 (art. 394), fines anyone found in such a place (art. 395), and punishes running, advertising or selling tickets for a lottery that is not authorised (art. 397). The Civil Code voids every agreement on gambling or prohibited betting and lets the loser recover what he paid within six months (art. 915). There is no licence for online casino, sports betting or poker, and MENAFATF found in 2019 that casinos cannot be licensed. The Electronic Crimes Law, No. 17 of 2023, applies these penalties to offences committed online (art. 26) and lets prosecutors and courts order sites and platforms blocked (art. 33). The one lawful product is the Jordan Charity Lottery. Under Regulation No. 161 of 2019 only the General Union of Voluntary Associations may hold a cash-prize lottery, which may be issued on paper, electronically or as scratch cards, with prizes capped at 40% of each issue. Since Regulation No. 47 of 2023 a National Committee chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Development issues it, and revenues are split 30% to the Union, 10% to the disability council, 10% to elderly care and the rest to national charitable projects. Electronic and scratch sales began in December 2021 through a contracted distributor. Prizes above JOD 1,000 bear a 15% final withholding tax. Enforcement targets offshore apps: the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission says it blocks gambling sites and apps on requests from the police cybercrime unit and the Central Bank. No bill to license or further regulate online gambling was found.

Common pitfalls

Reading the Electronic Crimes Law of 2023 as a gambling ban: it does not name gambling and reaches it only through art. 26, which applies the Penal Code penalties to offences committed online. Treating the low Penal Code fines as the whole exposure: the same conduct online triggers blocking and confiscation orders under the Electronic Crimes Law, and gambling debts are void under the Civil Code. Assuming the Dead Sea casino project created a lawful casino: the 2007 agreement was frozen, and MENAFATF found in 2019 that casinos cannot be licensed. Citing the 1972 lottery regulation: it was repealed in 2019.

Key facts

Regulator: Ministry of Social Development (MoSD)
Regulator type: Government ministry
Headline tax: Not yet verified
Licence required: Yes
Minimum age: Not yet verified
Tax base: No gaming duty exists, because no gambling can be licensed. The charity lottery is not taxed on its revenue but split by regulation: prizes up to 40% of each issue's value, then 30% of lottery revenues to the Union, 10% to the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10% to the ministry's elderly care trust account and the rest to national charitable projects.

Legal framework

Primary statutes

Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, Chapter 3 "Gambling" (arts. 393 to 398)
قانون العقوبات رقم 16 لسنة 1960، الفصل الثالث: في المقامرة
Year
1960
In force
Yes
Summary
Art. 393: whoever owns, occupies or has the use of a house, room or place and opens, runs or uses it for unlawful gambling, or knowingly lets another do so, or supervises or helps run it, is deemed to run a public gambling place; unlawful gambling covers any card game needing no skill and any other game in which chance is not equal for all players, including the banker or those against whom players play or bet. Art. 394: up to six months in prison and a fine of up to JOD 50. Art. 395: anyone found in a public gambling place is presumed to be there to gamble, and is fined up to JOD 5 the first time and up to JOD 10, or up to three months in prison, or both, thereafter. Art. 396: police may seize gaming equipment and the court may order it confiscated or destroyed. Art. 397: running a place for lotteries of any kind is punished with up to six months or a fine of up to JOD 50; printing or publishing an advertisement for a lottery, or selling or offering tickets, with a fine of up to JOD 50; the article does not apply to a lottery authorised by the competent authority. Art. 398: whoever appears to manage such a place is deemed its owner. The 2022 and 2025 amending laws did not change the chapter.
Civil Code No. 43 of 1976, arts. 909 to 915 (betting and gambling)
القانون المدني رقم 43 لسنة 1976، الرهان والمقامرة
Year
1976
In force
Yes
Summary
In force from 1 January 1977. A wager (rihan) is a contract to pay a prize to whoever achieves a stated goal, and is permitted in racing, shooting and sport (arts. 909 and 910), provided the prize and the task are defined (art. 911). If each party promises the other a prize, the contract becomes gambling and is not permitted (art. 914). Every agreement on gambling or prohibited betting is void, and the loser may recover what he paid within six months, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary (art. 915).
Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023
قانون الجرائم الإلكترونية رقم 17 لسنة 2023
Year
2023
In force
Yes
Summary
Replaced the Electronic Crimes Law No. 27 of 2015, in force 30 days after publication in August 2023. It does not name gambling. Art. 26 punishes anyone who commits, joins or incites through the internet or an information system an offence punishable under any other legislation, with the penalty in that legislation. Art. 31 requires the court on conviction to confiscate the means and proceeds and to block or suspend the site used. Art. 33 lets the prosecutor or court order a site, platform, service provider or account holder, in Jordan or abroad, to remove or block content that breaches the law or any legislation in force, and, if it does not comply or in urgent cases, order the site or platform blocked from the national network; refusal carries a fine of JOD 15,000 to 30,000. Art. 37 requires foreign social media platforms with more than 100,000 subscribers in Jordan to open a local office, with TRC measures if they do not.

Secondary instruments

Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation No. 161 of 2019
نظام اليانصيب الخيري الأردني رقم 161 لسنة 2019
Year
2019
In force
Yes
Summary
Published 17 November 2019 and in force 30 days later, repealing Regulation No. 17 of 1972. The lottery may be issued by paper, electronic or scratch means (art. 4). Draws are public and results published (art. 5). Prizes are paid within 30 days, by cheque above JOD 500, and lapse to the Union if unclaimed within three months (arts. 9 and 10). The lottery is subject to the oversight of the ministry and the Audit Bureau (art. 12). No body other than the Union may be licensed to issue a lottery with cash prizes; bodies under the charitable fundraising regulation may run in-kind prize lotteries; the ministry declares any other lottery void and refers it to the public prosecutor (art. 14).
Regulation No. 47 of 2023 amending the Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation
نظام رقم 47 لسنة 2023 نظام معدل لنظام اليانصيب الخيري الأردني
Year
2023
In force
Yes
Summary
Approved by the Council of Ministers on 26 July 2023. Creates the National Committee for Supervising the Management of Lottery Affairs, chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Development, which issues the lottery and sets issues, prices, draws and prizes, with total prizes capped at 40% of the value of each issue, and tenders distribution to one or more contractors (art. 3). Allocates lottery revenues: 30% to the Union, 10% to the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10% to the ministry's elderly care trust account, and the rest to national charitable projects under criteria approved by the minister (art. 6). Agreements signed before it remain in force (new art. 15).
Income Tax Law No. 34 of 2014, art. 12(a)(3)
قانون ضريبة الدخل رقم 34 لسنة 2014، المادة 12
Year
2014
In force
Yes
Summary
Tax is withheld at source at 15% on income from prizes and lotteries where the amount or value of any one of them exceeds JOD 1,000, and the amount withheld is a final tax.

Key amendments

17 Dec 2019Regulation No. 161 of 2019 replaces the 1972 charity lottery regulation, allows electronic and scratch lotteries and confines cash-prize lotteries to the General Union of Voluntary Associations.
26 Jul 2023Regulation No. 47 of 2023 moves the issuing of the lottery to a National Committee chaired by the ministry's Secretary General and sets a fixed split of lottery revenues.
13 Aug 2023Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023 published, replacing the 2015 law, applying other laws' penalties to offences committed online (art. 26) and widening blocking orders to foreign sites and platforms (art. 33).

Licensing

Licence required: Yes
Application window: Not yet verified
Local establishment required: Not yet verified
Local server required: Not yet verified
Notable licensees: General Union of Voluntary Associations (Jordan Charity Lottery), Jordanian Company for Lottery Development and Management (electronic and scratch distribution contractor)
Barriers to entry: There is no licence for casino, betting, poker or any other gambling, online or on land, and MENAFATF found in 2019 that casinos cannot be licensed. The only lawful product is the charity lottery, reserved to one body; a private company can take part only as a distribution contractor chosen by tender, as the Jordanian Company for Lottery Development and Management did for electronic and scratch sales in 2021.

Licence types

Jordan Charity Lottery (cash-prize lottery)
Scope
Reserved by Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 14(a), to the General Union of Voluntary Associations; issued by the National Committee, by paper, electronic or scratch means, with distribution awarded by tender to one or more contractors under an agreement.
Fee basis
No fee; revenues split by Regulation No. 47 of 2023, art. 6
In-kind prize lottery by a charitable body
Scope
Bodies covered by the charitable fundraising regulation in force may issue lotteries with prizes in kind under that regulation's conditions (Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 14(b)).

Taxation

Headline GGR tax: Not yet verified
Effective date: Not yet verified
Player winnings tax: 15% final withholding tax on income from prizes and lotteries where any single prize exceeds JOD 1,000 (Income Tax Law No. 34 of 2014, art. 12(a)(3)).
Withholding mechanism: Withheld at source by the payer of the prize; the amount withheld is a final tax.
Tax base: No gaming duty exists, because no gambling can be licensed. The charity lottery is not taxed on its revenue but split by regulation: prizes up to 40% of each issue's value, then 30% of lottery revenues to the Union, 10% to the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10% to the ministry's elderly care trust account and the rest to national charitable projects.

Earmarked levies

Union share of lottery revenues: 30% of lottery revenues (General Union of Voluntary Associations (Regulation No. 47 of 2023, art. 6(a)(1)))
Disability share of lottery revenues: 10% of lottery revenues, transferred at the end of each year (Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (art. 6(a)(2)))
Elderly care share of lottery revenues: 10% of lottery revenues (Elderly care trust account at the Ministry of Social Development (art. 6(a)(3)))

Compliance

Minimum age: Not yet verified
National self-exclusion: Not yet verified
AML regime: Casinos are not designated non-financial businesses for AML purposes because gambling is a crime and casinos cannot be licensed; MENAFATF rated the casino criteria not applicable in its 2019 evaluation. Charity lottery prizes above JOD 500 are paid by cheque to the first beneficiary (Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 9).
KYC requirements: Not yet verified
Stake limits: Not yet verified
Reporting obligations: After each issue the lottery committee reports the result, the numbers of tickets sold and unsold, and the winners or winning ticket numbers and prize values to the Ministry of Social Development (Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 8(e), as amended in 2023). The lottery is subject to the oversight of the ministry and the Audit Bureau (art. 12).

Advertising

Advertising permitted: Not yet verified
Penalties for breach: Fine of up to JOD 50 for advertising or selling tickets of an unauthorised lottery (Penal Code art. 397(2)).

Restrictions

Penal Code art. 397(2): printing or publishing, or causing to be printed or published, any announcement or advertisement for a lottery, or selling or offering lottery tickets, is punished with a fine of up to JOD 50, unless the lottery is authorised by the competent authority (art. 397(4)).
No statute specific to advertising casino games or betting was found; there is no lawful product of that kind to advertise. Promoting an offence online can fall under the Electronic Crimes Law, art. 26, which covers anyone who takes part in or incites an offence through the internet.
A TRC official said in July 2026 that the commission had asked Meta to block gambling advertisements and apps aimed at users in Jordan, had blocked sites promoting such apps, and invited the public to report streamers promoting gambling from Jordan.

Payments

Credit card ban: Not yet verified
Crypto stance: Not yet verified
Payment blocking regime: No statutory duty on banks or payment providers to block gambling transactions was found. A TRC official said in July 2026 that the Central Bank of Jordan is among the bodies that send the TRC requests to block gambling apps and sites.

Enforcement

ISP blocking: Yes
DNS blocking: Not yet verified
Payment blocking: Not yet verified
App store takedowns: Not yet verified
Administrative penalties: Blocking or suspension of a site, platform or content by order of the prosecutor or court (Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023, art. 33), with a fine of JOD 15,000 to 30,000 for refusing the order; on conviction for an offence under the law the court must, of its own motion, confiscate the means and proceeds, block or suspend the site used and close the premises used for three months to a year (art. 31).
Criminal penalties: Running a public gambling place: up to six months in prison and a fine of up to JOD 50 (Penal Code art. 394), with confiscation of equipment (art. 396). Running a place for an unauthorised lottery: up to six months or a fine of up to JOD 50; advertising or selling its tickets: a fine of up to JOD 50 (art. 397). The same penalties apply to these offences when committed online (Electronic Crimes Law, art. 26).
Operator liability: Whoever owns, occupies or uses the place and opens, runs or uses it for gambling, or knowingly allows it, and whoever supervises or helps run it (Penal Code art. 393); whoever appears to manage the place is deemed its owner (art. 398).
Player liability: Yes, in a public gambling place: anyone found there is presumed to be gambling and is fined up to JOD 5 the first time, then up to JOD 10, or up to three months in prison, or both (Penal Code art. 395). Whether this reaches a player betting online from home has not been settled by any text or judgment found. Gambling debts are void and losses paid can be recovered within six months (Civil Code art. 915).

Notable actions

Former prime minister Marouf al-Bakhit and former tourism minister Osama al-Dabbas, over the 2007 Dead Sea casino licence agreement27 Jun 2011
The House of Representatives voted 53 to 50 against indicting al-Bakhit, short of the two thirds required, and voted 86 to 23 to indict al-Dabbas before the High Council for the trial of ministers.
Online gambling apps7 Oct 2025
At a meeting of a parliamentary bloc, the Minister of Digital Economy said the ministry was developing monitoring tools with security and judicial bodies, and the TRC chair said the commission was building technical monitoring systems.
Online gambling and betting sites and apps6 Jul 2026
A TRC official said the commission had blocked many gambling sites and apps through internet service providers, on requests from the cybercrime unit and the Central Bank or on its own initiative, and had asked Meta to block gambling advertising aimed at Jordan. No count was given.

Timeline

1 Jan 1960
Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 published, with the gambling chapter in arts. 393 to 398
1 Jan 1977
Civil Code No. 43 of 1976 in force, voiding gambling and prohibited betting agreements (art. 915)
10 Sept 2007
The prime minister tells the tourism minister that the cabinet has accepted an agreement to develop a Dead Sea casino complex, later frozen
27 Jun 2011
House of Representatives votes on the casino inquiry, clearing the former prime minister and indicting the former tourism minister
17 Nov 2019
Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation No. 161 of 2019 published, in force 30 days later
19 Jan 2020
MENAFATF publishes its mutual evaluation of Jordan, adopted in November 2019, recording that casinos are banned
1 Dec 2021
General Union of Voluntary Associations launches electronic and scratch lottery sales through a contracted distributor
26 Jul 2023
Council of Ministers approves Regulation No. 47 of 2023, creating the National Committee and a fixed split of lottery revenues
13 Aug 2023
Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023 published, in force 30 days later
7 Oct 2025
Digital economy minister and TRC chair brief MPs on measures against gambling apps
6 Jul 2026
TRC official describes blocking of gambling apps and sites and a request to Meta to block gambling advertising

Outlook

No bill or consultation on gambling was found, and nothing points to a licensed market. The things to watch are enforcement: the TRC says it and the police cybercrime unit are continuing to find and block gambling apps and sites, the Ministry of Digital Economy said in October 2025 that it was building monitoring tools with security and judicial bodies, and the TRC has asked Meta to stop gambling advertising aimed at Jordan. On the lottery side, the 2023 regulation keeps distribution agreements signed before it in force, so any new distribution tender by the National Committee would be the next change.

Frequently asked questions

Is online gambling legal in Jordan?: No. There is no licence for online casino, betting or poker. The Penal Code punishes running a gambling place, and the Electronic Crimes Law, art. 26, applies the same penalties to offences committed online. The only lawful gambling product is the Jordan Charity Lottery.
Who runs the lottery in Jordan?: Only the General Union of Voluntary Associations may hold a cash-prize lottery (Regulation No. 161 of 2019, art. 14). Since 2023 it is issued by a National Committee chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Development, and distribution is contracted out by tender.
Can the Jordan Charity Lottery be sold electronically?: Yes. Art. 4 of Regulation No. 161 of 2019 allows paper, electronic and scratch issues, and electronic and scratch sales began in December 2021 through a contracted distributor.
Are lottery winnings taxed?: Yes. Income from prizes and lotteries is subject to a 15% final withholding tax where any single prize exceeds JOD 1,000 (Income Tax Law No. 34 of 2014, art. 12(a)(3)).
Is it an offence to gamble?: Anyone found in a public gambling place is presumed to be gambling and is fined up to JOD 5 the first time, then up to JOD 10 or up to three months in prison (Penal Code art. 395). No text or judgment found settles whether this reaches online play from home.
Does Jordan block gambling websites?: Yes. Prosecutors and courts can order sites and platforms blocked under the Electronic Crimes Law, art. 33, and a TRC official said in July 2026 that the commission blocks gambling sites and apps through internet service providers. No list or count is published.

Sources

Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, consolidated, Book 2, Title 10, Chapter 3 "Gambling" (arts. 393 to 398), Official Gazette No. 1487 of 1 January 1960
Legislation and Opinion Bureau (Diwan al-Tashri wal-Ra'y), Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jan 1960
Law No. 12 of 2025 amending the Penal Code
Ministry of Justice, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (translated)
Checked only to confirm that the latest amendment does not touch the gambling chapter: it amends provisions of the general part, among them arts. 22, 25 bis, 27, 52, 54 bis and 72.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Law No. 10 of 2022 amending the Penal Code, Official Gazette No. 5796 of 25 May 2022 (English translation)
Ministry of Justice, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Checked only to confirm that the 2022 amendment does not touch the gambling chapter: it amends arts. 389 and 390 but not arts. 393 to 398.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 25 May 2022
Civil Code No. 43 of 1976, arts. 909 to 915 (betting and gambling)
Jordan Customs, Jordan Trade Portal (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023, Official Gazette No. 5874 (arts. 26, 31, 33 and 37)
Legislation and Opinion Bureau (Diwan al-Tashri wal-Ra'y), Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (translated)
The LOB record gives the gazette date as 09/12/2023; the Jordan News Agency reported the special gazette issue as published on Sunday 13 August 2023, and the law took effect 30 days after publication.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Aug 2023
The Prime Ministry publishes six laws in the Official Gazette
Jordan News Agency (Petra) (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Aug 2023
Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation No. 161 of 2019, Official Gazette No. 5606 of 17 November 2019, issued under art. 4(3) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour Law No. 14 of 1956
Ministry of Social Development, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 17 Nov 2019
Regulation No. 47 of 2023 amending the Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation, Official Gazette pp. 3671 to 3675 (Council of Ministers decision of 26 July 2023)
General Union of Voluntary Associations (GUVS), scan of the Official Gazette (translated)
Gazette scan; the issue number and publication date are not legible on the pages retrieved. The regulation takes effect 30 days after publication.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Jordan Charity Lottery
General Union of Voluntary Associations (GUVS)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Jordan Charity Lottery Regulation 2019 issued
Jordan News Agency (Petra) (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 17 Nov 2019
General Union of Associations launches electronic and scratch lottery
Jordan News Agency (Petra) (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Dec 2021
Income Tax Law No. 34 of 2014, as amended, art. 12(a)(3)
Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mutual Evaluation Report (adopted November 2019)
Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 Jan 2020
Telecommunications commission: electronic patrols and immediate blocking of gambling apps
Husna FM (translated)
Interview with the director of the TRC board of commissioners affairs unit. He describes the Electronic Crimes Law as prohibiting dealings with betting apps; the law itself does not name gambling and reaches it through art. 26, which applies the Penal Code penalties to offences committed online. No official list or count of blocked sites was found.
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 6 Jul 2026
Jordan: new oversight steps to combat electronic gambling apps
Khaberni (translated)
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 7 Oct 2025
Jordan supercasino secret deal was personally approved by prime minister
The Guardian
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Sept 2011
House of Representatives clears al-Bakhit and indicts al-Dabbas over the casino
AmmanNet (Radio al-Balad) (translated)
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Jun 2011