Gambling, including the purchase of lottery tickets, is strictly prohibited under Bahraini law. Article 308 of the Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 15 of 1976) criminalizes all forms of betting, applying penalties to those who engage in gambling activities, whether online or offline (1).
Under Article 308, individuals who buy or sell lottery tickets face up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding BD 100 for a first offence; repeat violations may lead to harsher sanctions, reflecting Bahrain’s adherence to Sharia principles that deem gambling unlawful (1).
"They are subject to the rules and requirements (including prior authorisation/approval) laid down by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism; the raffle draws schedule is disclosed in advance to the public; each draw of the raffle/lottery held as part of the bank’s promotional scheme is independently verified and monitored/witnessed by the bank’s external auditor and the internal auditor."
In addition to Penal Code restrictions, the Central Bank of Bahrain regulates raffle and lottery activities under its Rulebook. Such promotions by licensed banks require prior approval from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and must adhere to strict auditing and disclosure requirements to ensure transparency and consumer protection (2).
Source:
https://qr.wto.org/en/qrs/6210
https://www.cbb.gov.bh/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Vol-1_BC_Promotions.pdf
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
