Updated October 13, 2026

Online casino games, sports betting and gambling apps are officially prohibited in Pakistan. Pakistan has no licensed operators, and 2026 has brought tighter enforcement on blocked apps, influencer promotion and, most recently, the payment channels that fed these platforms.

Is casino gaming legal in Pakistan?

Online casino, sports betting and online poker are listed as illegal, and as of May 2026 there was no pending legislation to introduce a regulated commercial gambling framework. The Prevention of Gambling Act of 1977 is the law most commonly cited as the basis for the ban. The same sources describe offshore sites accepting Pakistani players as operating in violation of that Act.

Some commentary points out that the 1977 law predates the internet, so it does not name online gambling or gaming apps directly, which leaves a legal grey area in how it is applied. That does not make these platforms licensed. Gambling is also prohibited under Islamic law, which shapes the legal and cultural context.

Blocked sites and apps

• PTA blocks. The Cabinet Division told the National Assembly that the PTA had blocked 184 gambling and betting websites and apps, and that government bodies including PEMRA, PTA and the PCB were directed not to enter into agreements with betting companies.
• NCCIA app ban. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency declared 46 mobile applications illegal for involvement in betting, online casino games and unauthorised trading, and instructed the PTA to block access.
• Named platforms. Authorities have blocked dozens of apps, including Aviator Game, 1xBet, Dafabet and Bet365, some of which were found to be mishandling user data.

Crackdown on promoters and influencers

Enforcement has moved from blocking apps to prosecuting the people who promote them.

• YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested over gambling promotion, accused of promoting platforms such as Binomo and B9 Game and of acting as a “country manager” for one gambling firm. A Lahore court later rejected his bail application. sigmadigitalrightsmonitor
• The NCCIA registered cases against Rajab Butt, Anas and Huraira for promoting gambling and illegal investment apps, after they ignored three summons. nukta
• The government has also brought online offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. pakobserver
• Officials have described the influencer network as a “digital devil gang,” with assets frozen and notices served to more influencers. nukta

Latest news: the payment crackdown (October 2026)

The newest front is money. The FIA is probing an alleged online betting network linked to Easypaisa and JazzCash accounts, with the FIR connecting deposits to payouts on gambling platforms. Eleven companies reportedly processed nearly Rs120 billion, and five branchless-banking collection accounts received about Rs8.586 billion through roughly 10.49 million transactions.

The effects on payments:

• JazzCash closed more than 300 aggregator accounts after FIA notices, and Easypaisa merchant channels saw settlement delays across six firms.
• Easypaisa’s routine wallet services and person-to-person transfers kept working.
• The State Bank of Pakistan introduced a framework in May 2026 with stricter documentation, foreign exchange compliance and monitoring for payment intermediaries.

An official date for restoring wallet payments to gaming platforms has not been announced, and the active investigation points to a slow return.

Risks for players

1. Account freezes. Deposits routed through personal wallets can be traced and frozen during investigations.
2. Lost balances. If the PTA blocks an app where you hold a balance, withdrawing it becomes uncertain.
3. Data exposure. Authorities flagged some blocked apps for mishandling user data.
4. Scams and fake agents. Unlicensed apps and “agent” deposit schemes carry a high risk of fraud.
5. VPN use. Using a VPN to reach blocked platforms is flagged as restricted, and does not make the platform legal.

Bottom line

Casino and betting apps remain prohibited and unlicensed in Pakistan in 2026. The PTA keeps blocking apps, the NCCIA is prosecuting promoters, and the FIA’s Rs120 billion case is now squeezing the wallet channels. Readers should avoid unverified apps and agents, and should follow official announcements from the PTA, NCCIA, FIA and SBP.