Gaming culture has exploded across the Middle East, with millions of players spending hours exploring virtual worlds. Young Arabs fill internet cafes and game lounges, competing in esports tournaments and streaming their favorite titles. Yet beneath this gaming boom lies a complex web of restrictions that can leave players frustrated and confused.
Understanding these bans helps gamers, developers, and industry observers grasp how cultural boundaries shape digital entertainment. Let’s explore which games face restrictions and the reasons behind these decisions.
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Why Are Video Games Banned in Arab Countries?
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Islamic values heavily influence censorship decisions across the Arab world. Games featuring alcohol consumption, gambling mechanics, or religious mockery often face immediate restrictions. Content that contradicts traditional family structures or promotes alternative lifestyles typically gets flagged for review.
Political and Historical Sensitivities
War-themed games set in Middle Eastern locations frequently trigger political concerns. Titles depicting Arab nations negatively or featuring sensitive historical events can spark diplomatic tensions. Games that reference Israel-Palestine conflicts or portray Arab characters as terrorists face particular scrutiny.
Violence and Adult Content
Extreme violence, graphic sexual content, and nudity violate moral standards in most Arab countries. Games with torture scenes, sexual assault themes, or excessive gore get banned regardless of their artistic merit. Even mild romantic content between same-sex characters can lead to prohibition.
Country-Specific Policies
Each Arab nation maintains its own censorship framework. Saudi Arabia operates one of the strictest systems, while Lebanon takes a more liberal approach. The UAE balances business interests with moral concerns, often allowing edited versions of controversial games.
15 Banned Video Games in Arab Countries
Saudi Arabia
In 2018, Saudi Arabia banned 47 popular video games following incidents where two minors reportedly committed suicide allegedly linked to the “Blue Whale” challenge, an online game associated with harmful behavior.
This ban was a response to concerns over the impact of violent or morally inappropriate games on youth.
- Grand Theft Auto V: initially banned for violence, drug use, sexual content, and rumored links to suicides; recently unbanned with an age restriction of 21+ as of July 2025
- Final Fantasy XVI faced an immediate ban due to explicit romantic scenes and LGBTQ+ representation. The game’s mature themes and graphic content violated the kingdom’s strict moral guidelines.
- The Last of Us Part II got blocked for its intense violence and same-sex relationship storyline. Officials cited concerns about the game’s impact on traditional Saudi values.
- Resident Evil 5 & 6: banned, likely for gore and violence
- Heavy Rain never reached Saudi gamers due to its nude scenes and adult themes. The psychological thriller’s mature content crossed too many red lines for local censors.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare banned due to portrayal of Saudi Arabia in a negative fictional political scenario
Iraq
- Fortnite and PUBG faced nationwide bans after officials linked these games to youth addiction and social problems. The government expressed concerns about children becoming isolated and aggressive after extended play sessions.
Oman
- Roblox faced restrictions after parents complained about inappropriate interactions between adult users and children. The platform’s chat features and user-generated content raised safety concerns.
- Slime game: banned from circulation in markets.
Egypt
- Gacha Life was banned due to concerns over users generating explicit content in the app, aiming to protect young players from accessing inappropriate material.
- Blue Whale has been banned in Egypt after it was linked to several deaths among Egyptian teens. Authorities blocked websites hosting the game to protect young players from self-harm and family harm risks
- Voice chat features in games like “Valorant” have been banned in Egypt due to national security and privacy concerns
United Arab Emirates
- Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide due to extreme violence and scantily-clad characters.
- Roblox was temporarily banned for child safety concerns but reinstated after improvements.
Kuwait
Roblox is banned as of 2025 due to child safety concerns, inappropriate content, and promotion of values conflicting with local norms.
Jordan
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is banned citing negative impact reasons.
- Roblox faced a shutdown in 2025 over similar safety and content concerns, though official confirmation is pending.
Qatar
- Roblox ban since August 2025 citing social media pressure and concerns about harmful interactions and child exploitation.
- Online gambling is strictly banned.
Algeria
- Roblox got banned after reports of inappropriate interactions between users. The platform’s social features raised child safety concerns among Algerian authorities.
- Online gambling is strictly banned.
Morocco
- Manhunt and Manhunt 2 banned for extreme violence, though ban lifted with adult rating in 2023-2024
- Postal 2 banned for extreme violence, homophobia, and other offensive content
Lebanon
- Manhunt and Manhunt 2 were banned for “extreme violence and offensive depictions of cruelty,” but these bans were lifted recently with an R18 classification.
- Postal 2 and its demos were banned for gross content including animal cruelty, violence, and other offensive themes.
- Games like “Criminal Girls: Invite Only” and “Gal Gun: Double Peace” were banned for sexual content involving young persons and coercion.
- There is a Hezbollah-produced game called “Sacred Defense” that sparked internal calls for banning due to concerns it promotes sectarianism and conflict, reflecting political tensions in Lebanon.
- More generally, popular games like GTA 5 face purchase restrictions on Lebanese digital platforms.
Conclusion
Video game bans across Arab countries reflect a delicate balance between embracing modern entertainment and preserving cultural values. While these restrictions frustrate many gamers, they stem from genuine concerns about protecting youth, maintaining social stability, and upholding religious principles.
The gaming industry continues adapting to these regional requirements, often creating modified versions or working with local authorities to find acceptable solutions. As younger generations become more influential in shaping policy, we may see gradual changes in how Arab countries approach game censorship.
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FAQs
Can I legally play banned games in Arab countries using a VPN?
Using VPNs to access banned content exists in a legal gray area. While many people do this, it potentially violates local laws and platform terms of service. Check your country’s specific regulations before attempting to bypass restrictions.
Do all Arab countries ban the same games?
No, each country maintains its own censorship policies. A game banned in Saudi Arabia might be available in Lebanon or the UAE. The strictness varies significantly based on each nation’s cultural and political priorities.
Are there age-restricted versions of banned games available?
Some publishers create edited versions for certain markets, removing objectionable content while keeping core gameplay intact. These modified editions may pass censorship in countries where original versions face bans.
Can tourists bring restricted games into Arab countries?
Customs officials may confiscate banned games at borders. Travelers should research local restrictions before bringing gaming content into any Arab country to avoid legal complications.
Do mobile games face the same restrictions?
Mobile games undergo similar scrutiny, especially those with social features or in-app purchases. App stores often remove titles that violate local content guidelines automatically.
Are retro or classic games also affected by bans?
Yes, age doesn’t protect games from censorship. Classic titles containing violence, sexual content, or cultural insensitivities can face the same restrictions as modern releases.
How can gamers stay updated on current bans?
Follow local gaming news outlets, official gaming authority announcements, and community forums. Policies can change quickly, so staying informed helps avoid purchasing restricted content.
Hager Hesham
Content Writer and your go-to gaming expert. I'm here to share my best practices, valuable strategies, and professional gamer guidance. Also, I'm a gem hunter for the best deals and gift cards, just to enjoy games at almost zero cost with AR-pay.
