Gambling is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia due to Islamic law (Sharia), which explicitly forbids all forms of gambling activities. The ban is comprehensive and extends to both traditional casino games and sports betting.

Despite the strict prohibition, there's evidence of underground gambling activities in the kingdom. However, these operations remain small and secretive due to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment and hefty fines for those caught participating.

Online gambling faces similar restrictions, with the Saudi government actively blocking access to international gambling websites. Internet service providers in the country maintain strict filters to prevent residents from accessing these platforms, though some users attempt to circumvent these blocks using VPNs.

The Saudi government takes several measures to combat gambling:

Regular raids on suspected gambling operations
Monitoring of financial transactions for gambling-related activities
Cooperation with international authorities to block online gambling sites
Public awareness campaigns about the religious and legal implications

While neighboring countries like Dubai have started to embrace certain forms of regulated gambling through tourist-oriented casinos, Saudi Arabia maintains its firm stance against all gambling activities. This position aligns with the country's role as the custodian of Islam's two holiest sites and its commitment to Sharia law.

Recent modernization efforts under Vision 2030 have brought significant social changes to Saudi Arabia, including new entertainment options and tourist attractions. However, gambling remains firmly outside the scope of these reforms, with no indication of policy changes in the foreseeable future.

Statistics on illegal gambling in Saudi Arabia are limited due to the underground nature of these activities. Law enforcement regularly reports cases of gambling-related arrests, but these represent only a fraction of actual gambling activities in the country.

For context, the punishment for gambling in Saudi Arabia can include:

Imprisonment ranging from six months to one year
Fines up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals
Public flogging (though this punishment has become less common)
Deportation for expatriates caught gambling

In conclusion, while gambling exists in Saudi Arabia, it operates on a very limited scale due to strict religious prohibitions, legal consequences, and government enforcement. The size of the gambling market remains significantly smaller compared to other countries, and there are no signs of this changing in the near future.

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