Pakistan may be a predominantly Muslim nation, but that does not mean that every restriction posted in the Quran is followed to the letter. There are some who believe that they should be allowed to partake in more worldly activities, and this has helped in the rise in gambling within the country.
In a country of over 200 million, it is not surprising that Pakistani people would want to play casino-style games, bet on races or sporting events, or want to participate in other such activities. However, with strict laws and restrictions in place, it is important for all people living in the country to take the proper precautions to avoid coming in conflict with law enforcement officials. This is why it pays to know what you should and should not do when gambling online in Pakistan.
You Should Start with the Basics
You are not going to find licensed land-based casinos in Pakistan. They are simply not allowed. There are not any online casinos located in Pakistan either. This is something that needs to be made clear from the start.
However, that does not mean that there are not online options available to Pakistani citizens. In fact, there are some websites that have specifically developed their pages so that they can present a list of gambling platforms tailored for Pakistani citizens. They ensure that the experience is the very best for the people of the country.
The link provided gives you the opportunity to find sites that offer this experience. While not specifically “licensed” to operate in Pakistan, they have received a license and are bound to provide a lawful and fair site for people living in the country. This is definitely one of the things that you should do if you were going to use one of these online sites. Make sure that they have a license to operate so you can trust the fairness of their games.
You Should Know What They Offer/Require
When choosing a site, you should be aware of the services the online casino can provide to new players. These are the 5 things you should be aware of when looking for a gambling platform:
Welcome Bonuses
Payout times
License
Amount of games
Reputation
One other area that you want to pay attention to is the availability of using bitcoin or other digital currencies to fund your account. The reason behind this is that using your local bank account may draw attention from law enforcement officials. Keep in mind that gambling is considered an illegal activity in Pakistan and you do not want to draw attention to yourself.
If you are able to use bitcoin or other cryptocurrency as a preferred payment option, this can help to make your experience a lot more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.
You Should Know What You Can Bet/Play
For Pakistanis, the most popular forms of betting include:
Cricket
Football
Poker
Lottery
Bingo
The country is crazy about cricket, and for many years people were forced to rely on Pakistani bookmakers to provide them with odds for international events. That is no longer the case, as citizens and visitors can turn to online platforms to place a wager on their favorite cricket match.
They can also play their favorite casino-style games. Many love poker, and there are a number of licensed operators that provide a fair and enjoyable opportunity to play. They even include several variations of the game, ensuring players have the best possible experience.
You will find the same opportunity to play lotteries or bingo. Most casinos offer a multitude of games, so nothing you desire to play will be kept from you. This lets you know that if you would prefer to play slot games, blackjack, roulette, or any other casino-style game and you either live or are visiting Pakistan, then there are casinos ready to serve you.
You Should Know the Laws
We have already informed you that is illegal to gamble offline in Pakistan. The 1977 act makes it illegal for any person living are visiting within the borders of Pakistan to gamble. Those who are caught in violation of this law face up to a 1000 PKR fine and as much as one year in jail.
It is important to note that you will likely hear rumors about small-time gamblers never being apprehended and sent to jail. Do not believe that! If you are committing a crime and you are caught, you could very well pay the price for it.
What is a fairly common practice is for law enforcement officials to not focus their attention on those who are participating in gambling. In other words, they are not actively seeking to find those that will be playing at an online casino. That is as long as you are not doing anything to draw attention to yourself. If you are playing, keep that information to yourself. Do not post on social media and tell all of your friends and family about it.
You Should Be Responsible
Lastly, make sure you are responsible. Besides keeping your gambling activity low-key, it is a good idea to play within your means. Do not spend money gambling that you do not have. Do not believe that if you are down your luck is about to change. Do not compound your financial woes by going for the big score when you really do not have that money to spend. Do not make a problem worse.
If you keep these things in mind you are going to have a lot of fun playing at an online casino in Pakistan. It does not matter whether you are visiting or if you live in the country. You are going to find that there are a number of great options available.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
