In Kuwait, all forms of gambling—including lotteries—are explicitly prohibited under the country’s Penal Code. The law defines gambling as any game in which profit or loss depends solely on luck, making it clear that buying or selling lottery tickets is illegal (1).
Enforcement falls under Article 205 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes both participation in and organization of gambling activities. Violators may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine, and authorities have occasionally conducted crackdowns on illegal operations to uphold the ban (1).
"Article 205 of the Penal Code prohibits gambling or the management of a shop for gambling. Gambling is defined as any game in which profit and loss depends on luck only, not on predefined factors. Therefore, casinos and internet casinos are prohibited in Kuwait."
Industry analyses confirm that Kuwait’s legislation does not permit any type of gambling, including state-run or private lotteries. This zero-tolerance approach extends to both land-based and online formats, leaving no legal avenue for lottery ticket purchases within the country (2).
Source:
https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2011/cr11268.pdf
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-kuwait/
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
