The Arab world has undergone something of a cultural shift in recent years, with many countries opening themselves up to new pastimes and modes of entertainment. Nowhere is this truer than in the world of gambling and poker — something that would have been impossible to predict just a few years ago.
Why is the shift occurring?
Young people are the main drivers of this incredible, transformative shift because they are connected with their peers around the world in a way older generations could never have imagined. Social media, in particular, has changed the way the next generation thinks about the concepts of free time and disposable income. By seeing what their counterparts in other countries are doing, they have been able to liberalize themselves in a truly astounding way.
The most incredible thing is that those in power — typically older and more conservative in their outlook — have seen the need to move with the times. While they are always respectful of culture and mindful of religious sensitivities, they are moving in a way that is bringing much of the Arab world to a new level. The result is an increasingly progressive and tolerant region that has recently given life to a thriving new poker scene.
A trendsetter now has a following
A quick search for famous Arab poker players on Google will no doubt bring the inimitable Freddy Deeb to your attention. This Lebanese master has been something of a sensation in the world of professional poker for more than 20 years and has achieved a level of fame outside of his home country that few of his compatriots are able to match.
A passion for tackling the odds, a skill for incredible bluffs under intense pressure, and an inherent ability to read the cards have made him one of the most successful poker players in the history of the game. He is someone who has routinely pushed the limits and gone all in, especially on the many televised tournament final tables he has made it onto during the course of his truly illustrious career.
The fascinating thing about Deeb is not how he got started or what he has achieved but how he has now become the center of a rapidly emerging Arab poker scene.
What does the rising popularity of Arab poker mean?
You only have to take a look at a Hollywood movie where a player is at the table to see that they are surrounded by just about everyone and everything. Passersby, other players, and a wealth of other casino games seem to extend for as far as the eye can see. The incredible thing about this is that the more you play, the more you get to interact with the other wonders that are inside the casino. The same is true of online poker.
Arab poker is not a game that is attracting a little bit of passing viral attention that will soon die back down to a baseline level where it hardly registers. More and more young people are seeing that they can have fun online, test themselves against the odds, and potentially win some money when they have perfected a strategy or tactic.
Take a look at some of the best Arabic casinos for Arab players and you will see this rapid growth and expansion happening before your very eyes. New games, themes, and tie-ins with classic poker are all taking over as we speak. On some of the casino sites, you will even find new-style poker-slot hybrid variants that allow you to take a shorter, sharper approach to the action at the table. Ideal if you want to enjoy a game you love without having to spend as long at the online table to place a few wagers and test yourself against the odds.
Will the interest continue to grow?
Yes, from everything we have seen during the course of our comprehensive analysis, we can say with virtual certainty that the growth curve is only just getting started. The way in which the interest in poker in the Arab world is funneling through to the main online casino sites is causing rapid organic growth right across the region.
It already appears that the cost of acquisition of new players is considerably less than first expected, allowing developers and operators to roll things out much faster. They know that they can rapidly scale things up and move into new regions and countries, all in a way that is set to be highly sustainable in the months and years ahead. Given how new legal online poker is in many Arab countries, this is proving something of a windfall for the innovative developers who were the first to sign up to get licensed to operate in the region.
What does it mean for healthy online habits?
One point of concern that is already being raised by the older generation is digital health. Clearly, there are some who become addicted to gambling, and this is always a highly unfortunate situation. What matters now more than ever is that the new online casinos and poker operators are seen to do the right thing by their rapidly growing customer base.
By putting in place a series of ethical standards and codes of practice, they are setting the bar very high indeed when it comes to the level of care players are provided with. Exactly what’s required to make sure that healthy habits and responsible wagering are built into the online casino experience from day one.
Can we expect another breakout Arab poker star?
Yes, and although it’s notoriously hard to predict who it will be, it’s only a matter of time, in our opinion. With so many young people testing themselves against the odds and mastering tactics and strategies online, there is so much talent and potential out there already being honed.
As we said, we don’t know who it will be, but we simply cannot wait to welcome them into the world of high-level professional poker. You can certainly count on the fact that the whole region will soon get behind them!
Final thoughts
The rapid growth in Arab online poker isn’t just creating a new generation of players who want to take on the pressure of the professional circuit, it’s also driving a whole new online casino industry. The result is a continual expansion of the range of games, the number of players, and the size of the bonuses and loyalty rewards. Precisely what any seasoned online player will want to hear when they’re looking to enjoy their favorite pastime for many more years to come.
Now that you know what the landscape of the industry looks like and where the momentum is coming from, you can use this information however you wish. Some are studying the societal impact and trying the games for themselves to see what all the noise is about, while others are seeing it as a business opportunity and connecting with skilled developers.
No matter which direction you choose to take things, the one thing that is certain is that the next few years are going to be even bigger and better in the Arab world.
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