The best betting sites in Kuwait for 2026 have been revealed and are ready to use for all sports, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, all bookmakers are ready to battle for the market around the world, including in Kuwait. They have come up with their offers to be the Kuwaiti’s best betting sites.
Top Available Sports Betting Sites in Kuwait
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kuwait?
Betting is actually considered illegal and against the law in Kuwait. Since the country’s independence in 1961, gambling has been forbidden, as it is haram in Sharia law. No wonder that the native bookmakers, either offline or online, are nowhere to be found in the country. In fact, the online ones, like casino sites, online sportsbook and retail sports betting, can be banned under the 1960 Penal Code (Law no. 16 of 1960).
Nevertheless, Kuwait remains one of the potential markets in the Middle East for sports betting. Its discreet popularity growth and high demands for gambling have proven how such a law does not stop the Kuwaitis’ interest in betting activities, especially on sports. The bettors simply turn to international sites for sports betting online.
Overview of sports betting in Kuwait
Plenty of betting sites are available on the market, but only several of them are worth accessing for Kuwaiti bettors. Here is the review of some of the best betting sites.
22bet
Founded in 2017, the Cyprus-based bookmaker is one of the fastest-growing ones in the world. It has expanded its market to the Middle East recently and offered a number of advantages that can be appealing to the bettors. 22bet has a welcome bonus as well as a wide range of payment methods, including crypto, which is certainly helpful for the Arabian sports betting fans.
This site also has plenty of options in sports. Football betting is definitely the most popular one, but other sports betting are also available, including esports. 22bet can be a great option for you to place a bet on mobile gaming.
Advantages:
- The site offers a wide range of sports and betting options
- The withdrawal and deposit service has been positively reviewed
- Reliable customer support
- Bonuses for VIP players are available and can be received in a timely manner
- The interface is user-friendly
- Free bonuses are occasionally available
- Fast withdrawal and payout
Disadvantages:
- Occasional issue with withdrawal
- Live chat customer support is not available
- Lack of transparency in some transactions.
1xBet
Advantages:
If you’re looking for sports betting online with uncommon sports, this is the proper go-to site. Another Cyprus-based sportsbook that not only offers popular ones but also a number of unusual sports. Horse racing betting is definitely one to explore, besides ice skiing, ice hockey, and even darts. The payment method in 1xbet is also available in various options, including crypto.
Advantages:
- Top choice for football and casino games
- Available in Arabic
- Local payments are acceptable
- Live streaming is available
Disadvantages:
- Delays on refund and payment process
- Customer support does not give quick responses or the utmost service, nor assistance
Mega Pari
This bookmaker might have launched just in 2019. However, if you are looking for a sportsbook with strong cryptocurrency links, then Mega-Pari for sports betting is probably one to pick. This site has been focusing on such secure payment method beside the conventional ones, except for the deposit. In terms of the sport options, it offers popular ones in the region besides football. Horse racing betting is also available, and so is UFC.
Advantages:
- Provide a wide range of cashback options
- The welcome bonus can reach up to 100 % on the first deposit
- A loyalty program to reward the frequent punters
Disadvantages:
- Withdrawal issues occasionally occur
Betfinal
This site is notably known as one of the best sports betting sites in the Middle East. It is not only due to its wide range of payment methods, which includes cryptocurrencies, but also its vast sports options. Betfinal, which was founded in 2013, is one fine option to pick to place your bet, despite its lack of a mobile app.
Advantages:
- Arabic friendly beside the English interface
- Football is the main sport, but others are also available.
- Available in crypto and local currency
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Instant withdrawal can be done by using e-wallet, Visa, and Mastercards, and AstroPay.
- Customer support available by chat, WhatsApp, and email
Disadvantages:
- Crypto customer support is unavailable.
- Deposit by USD/EURO is limited
- The mobile app is not available.
888sport
The Gibraltar-based bookmaker has a long history in the sports betting industry. Its sports section was launched in 2008 as the company was previously more casino-based. As one of the pioneers in sports betting, 888Sport has been covering more of football betting, due to its popularity. However, other sports remain available too, such as tennis, basketball, and even snooker. So placing your bet here can be a good alternative if you are looking for non-popular sports too.
This betting site, which was founded in 1997, is well-supported for any method of payment, from mobile banking, e-wallet, or bank cards. Unfortunately, this site does not provide any cryptocurrency payment.
Advantages:
- Mobile-friendly site and easy to navigate
- Live betting is available
Disadvantages:
- Long response from the customer support
- frequent issues with deposits and withdrawals
- The verification process is negatively reviewed
- Possible hidden charges in the transaction
YYYSports
This site is definitely the most established one for the Arabian market. Since its foundation in 2018, the Curacao-based bookmaker has aimed at sports betting in the Middle East as their main focus.
No wonder YYY Sports has become the main choice among the punters for sports betting online due to its localized UI and popular sports in the region.
Football betting, for example, is not only available for European major leagues but also for the Saudi Pro League, Qatar Stars League, and the Bahraini and Emirati top-tier divisions. If you fancy handball, Formula 1, or boxing, this sports betting site is definitely one to go to. It also accepts crypto as a payment method.
Advantages:
- Customer support is responsive and can be contacted via live chat
- Arabic-friendly sites
- Payment option by Bitcoin is available
- Quick deposits and withdrawals can be done easily.
- More than 50 sports are available, including regional sports as well.
Disadvantages:
- Transactions for bettors can only be done in US Dollars
- Only the new punters receive bonuses, which are also quite limited
Popular Sports for Betting in Kuwait
In Kuwait, sports bettors are more in favour of certain popular sports. Here are the most in-demand ones for online betting.
- Football betting. As the most popular one on the globe, football betting has always been in demand. They are not only placing bets on the Kuwait Premier League but also the famous ones in the neighbouring countries, such as the Saudi Pro League, as well as the major European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1), top-tier continental competitions such as UEFA Champions League or Europa League and international competitions such as UEFA EURO and surely the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bets are mostly about final results, but also the ones on the top scorer or the champions in the tournaments.
- Cricket betting. The sport, which is traditionally more well-known in South Asia, has been attracting more fans in the country. The Kuwait cricket national team has been in fairly positive form and currently sits in 23rd place in the Twenty20 international ranking, their highest position so far.
- Basketball betting. The next most popular sport in the country, with NBA games as the main competition to bet on.
- Esports betting. It is a new kind of sport that has been gaining popularity among the younger generation. The Kuwait Esports Summit and the investment of major telecom companies in this sport have helped it become more recognisable.
- Camel racing. It is the racing that has been a part of Kuwaiti culture traditionally. Its annual competition, like the Kuwait International Camel Race Championship, has always been attracting bettors as an alternative to horse racing betting.
Best payment methods for sports betting in Kuwait
Bettors in Kuwait require more effort to play the game due to the country’s restrictions on gambling activities. Consequently, the local currency, Kuwait Dinar (KWD), is not recommended for betting, as bookmakers would not accept it in the transaction. They prefer to have USD/EUR instead, with a well-known service from Visa and Mastercard.
Alternatively, cryptocurrency remains the best choice, as it offers more privacy, security, and anonymity. It also tends to have more advantages for deposits and withdrawals, as the transaction can be completed faster than by using credit or debit cards and bank transfers. It takes longer in the process with a higher fee, plus it can be tracked down without difficulty by the local government.
Besides crypto, the best betting sites also normally accept e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller for transactions. They remain the best options compared to Paysafecard, which is unfortunately not widely used among the betting sites in Kuwait, despite the fact that they offer more privacy than the aforementioned popular ones.
How to choose the best sports betting sites in Kuwait
A plethora of sports betting sites certainly could give Kuwaiti punters a headache when choosing the right one. The best way to decide which one to use is undoubtedly to consider several reasons:
- The payment method. Such is essential, as not everyone has the luxury of having cryptocurrency. Some punters prefer to have it in local currency, the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD), for the sake of practicality, while others prefer a more secure line with more privacy. One thing is for sure, using e-wallets and the sites that use no or less KYC is always more recommended.
- Arabic-friendly sites. The sites that have reliable Arabic customer support or an Arabic-friendly UI are easier to use and navigate while playing the game.
- Bonus availability. Some betting sites offer notable bonuses, including welcome bonuses, which can be generous too sometimes.
- VPN access. Considering the restriction on gambling in Kuwait, picking the sites that can be accessed by VPN might be more suitable, as it will not leave any trace of the punters’ real location while betting.
- Wide range of markets. The best betting sites are definitely the ones that cover various popular sports and competitions from the top five European leagues, regional top-tier leagues, and international competitions with a wide range of live odds.
Compatibility of Sport Betting Sites with Mobile Devices
Based on the review of some sites above, almost all of them provide access through mobile apps. Such is surely practical for staying in the game while you are on the go. If you have trouble using the downloadable apps, you can still log on via browser on the mobile service.
Conclusion
To sum up, gambling or playing bets in Kuwait is still possible, despite the restriction from the government. Betting online is the solution for any punter in the country, with a wide range of sites available to choose from. A handful of sites have been reviewed above, and such a list can be a reliable reference to pick the one that suits your preference and circumstance.
FAQs
1. Are sports betting sites legal in Kuwait?
While gambling is restricted in Kuwait, online sports betting sites are still accessible. Just be cautious and choose reputable international platforms.
2. What are the best sports betting sites in Kuwait?
Top betting sites for Kuwaiti players include 22bet, 1xbet, Mega-Pari, Betfinal, 888sport, and YYY. They offer great odds, secure payments, and mobile-friendly platforms.
3. Can I bet on Kuwaiti sports events?
Yes, some international sites offer betting on Kuwaiti sports like the Premier League. Check your chosen site for availability.
4. How can I deposit and withdraw money in Kuwait?
Look for sites offering secure methods like credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal or even Bitcoin for easy transactions.
5. Are there betting bonuses available in Kuwait?
Yes, many sportsbooks offer bonuses like free bets and welcome offers. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before claiming.
6. How can I tell if a site is trustworthy?
Choose licensed sites with good reviews, secure payment options, and SSL encryption to protect your data.
7. Can I bet on my phone in Kuwait?
Yes, most top sportsbooks offer mobile-friendly sites or apps to bet on the go.
8. What sports can I bet on?
You can bet on popular sports like football, basketball, and tennis, as well as regional events and niche sports.
9. Is it safe to bet online in Kuwait?
Yes, as long as you choose a reputable, licensed site with security measures like SSL encryption.
10. Can I bet anonymously?
Yes, using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin allows anonymous betting, but some sites may require verification for withdrawals.