Lottery tickets are illegal to purchase in Yemen, where all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited under both state law and Sharia law. According to Islamic law, which forms the basis of Yemen's legal system, lotteries, betting on chance, and casino games are completely forbidden. Unlike some Islamic countries that permit lotteries for charitable purposes, Yemen bans even charitable lotteries, offering no legal avenues for any form of gambling (1).
The Ministry of Interior supervises the legal and regulatory framework in Yemen, ensuring enforcement of laws against gambling. Local authorities and religious leaders play an important role in enforcing Islamic laws that have condemned gambling as "haram" (forbidden). Yemen implements some of the strictest gambling legislation in the world, with Sharia law recognizing gambling as a morally corrupt practice deserving no level of social acceptance (1).
"All types of land-based and online gambling activities are absolutely banned. While a number of countries permit restricted gambling for charity purposes or in limited areas, Yemen does not offer any legal avenue for gambling."
There is no licensing framework, regulatory authority, or tax structure for gambling operations since all gambling activities are comprehensively banned. The government actively pursues illegal gambling activities, including underground betting rings and unlicensed lottery operators, with violations resulting in legal consequences including fines and imprisonment. Foreign operators are prohibited from offering services to Yemeni residents, and Internet Service Providers are mandated to block access to online gambling and lottery sites (2).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-yemen/
https://legalpilot.com/country/yemen/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
