The allure of casinos has always been a point of contention for some countries in the world. On one end, playing casino games can be a fun pastime when done in moderation. Casino classics are undoubtedly some of the most exciting titles you’ll find worldwide, and since their gameplay is often a mix of luck and skill, they deliver a heart-racing experience that’s hard to replace. On the other end, the activity is looked down upon for various reasons, be it religious views, political views, or other perspectives that don’t align with gambling.
One of the few countries worldwide that don’t see eye to eye with casinos is Israel. Of course, it’s not hard to guess why this is. As one of the world’s religious epicenters, the country’s laws are heavily based on Judaic laws and beliefs. Still, this doesn’t mean people in the area can’t appreciate the magic casinos bring to the table. Many Israeli citizens are big fans of what these venues offer, but reaching them isn’t always easy. With that in mind, we’ll continue to explore the country’s approach to casinos and whether they’re worth a visit.
Gambling Laws in Israel
If we’re going to be exploring the world of casinos in Israel, it’s best to start from the most technical part. Of course, we’re talking about the laws and regulations surrounding casino gaming in the region. Unfortunately, we have bad news. Most forms of gambling are forbidden in Israel. This is mainly due to the religious views in the region, as they have a big impact on the local laws and regulations. Most casino games, specifically games that fall into the games of luck category, are strictly banned or prohibited.
If you’re hoping to find a local casino venue in Israel to have some fun, you’ll be sorely disappointed. There are practically no casinos in the region, which makes sense given the imposed ban. This might be true for all local venues, but that doesn’t mean interested parties can’t find ways around this. Playing at offshore casinos might also be banned in the country, but you can still find many reputable online casinos that welcome Israeli players. Locals can visit these places if they wish to give them a shot, but they do so at their own risk.
Offshore Online Casinos
We’ve mentioned a bit about these operators, but not enough to make them worth considering. If you’re an Israeli casino fan with hopes of playing classics like Blackjack, Roulette, and slots for real money, you can do so through a PC or mobile device and a solid internet connection! Tons of offshore online casinos accept players from Israel. Essentially, this means that you can set up an account with one of these venues without issue and start playing minutes after your deposit. You’re privy to many popular casino game categories, so you can choose what suits you and carry on.
Of course, there are a few things worth considering when thinking about these operators. The first, and arguably most important one is safety. You don’t want to fall victim to predatory sites that misuse player information and have unfair games. This is why you should always play in licensed online casinos. Operators that hold licenses from reputable regulatory bodies, such as the UKGC, MGA, Gibraltar, and other similar institutions are great picks. These licenses ensure the casinos treat players fairly, payout on time, and adhere to strict gambling regulations in favor of visitors.
Games of Skill & Alternatives
Offshore online casinos might be the best gaming option for Israeli casino fans, but there are a few alternatives you can look into if you don’t want to take that risk. When you look closer at Israel’s gambling laws and regulations, you can find a few loopholes that allow partaking in casino-adjacent activities without repercussions. This is excellent news if you’re not too keen on casino games themselves and could do with other fun options. Sports betting is the most obvious go-to here. The activity is legal and organized by the Israel Sports Betting Board.
Of course, if you’d rather stick as close to casino gaming as possible, there are some legal ways to do so. One of them is to focus on Poker. Poker has recently been deemed a game of skill, rather than chance, by the Israeli government. This means that while you can’t play Poker in land-based venues in the region, doing so in offshore online casinos won’t lead to any repercussions if you’re caught. In any case, this is some of the best news for fans of this classic table game. You can catch up on the basics of this title beforehand and do some prep for the inevitable wins coming your way!
This article was written in cooperation with AWISEE