Sports betting is strictly prohibited in Yemen under the country's legal framework, which is fundamentally based on Islamic law (Sharia). Yemen's constitution and legal system prohibit all forms of gambling, including sports betting, as these activities are considered incompatible with Islamic principles. The country's ongoing conflict and divided control between different factions has not altered this prohibition, as all parties maintain similar stances on religious matters governing personal conduct (1).
The enforcement of anti-gambling laws in Yemen is complicated by the country's fragmented governance structure. Yemen is currently split among three entities: the Iran-backed Houthi movement (Ansar Allah), the internationally recognized government, and the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (1). Each of these groups exercises control over different regions of the country, but all maintain conservative Islamic positions regarding gambling and recreational betting activities.
"Yemen is a republic with a constitution that provides for a president, a parliament, and an independent judiciary, but control of the country was split among three entities during the year."
Despite the theoretical prohibition, practical enforcement of sports betting laws varies significantly across Yemen's different regions due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and collapsed state institutions. The conflict has severely weakened government capacity to monitor and regulate many activities, including online gambling operations that might be accessed through international platforms (2). However, this does not make sports betting legal - it remains prohibited under Yemen's constitution and Islamic law, with potential penalties for those caught participating in gambling activities, though enforcement priorities have shifted toward more pressing security and humanitarian concerns during the prolonged conflict.
Source:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/yemen/
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/yemen
Last updated: 15-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
