Is Poker Legal in Lebanon? Casino du Liban Guide 2026

Legal Status of Poker in Lebanon

Lebanon's poker landscape is straightforward at the regulated level: Casino du Liban is the only legal venue, and everything outside it operates without licensing. The table below summarizes the status of different poker and gambling activities.

Casino du Liban: The Middle East's Historic Poker Hub

Casino du Liban opened in 1959 in Jounieh, a coastal town 20 km north of Beirut, making it one of the oldest continuously operating casinos in the Arab world. During Lebanon's golden era in the 1960s and early 1970s — when Beirut was the "Paris of the Middle East" — CDL was one of the most glamorous casinos in the world, attracting heads of state, film stars, and high-stakes gamblers from across Europe and the Arab world.

The 15-year Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) devastated the casino, but CDL was rebuilt and reopened in 1996 as part of Lebanon's post-war reconstruction. Decree-Law 11/1969 had established CDL's monopoly position, and that legal framework carried through the war years. The rebuilt CDL features over 300 slot machines, 60+ table games, a dedicated poker room, multiple restaurants, and a theater hosting international performances — a full entertainment complex rather than a pure casino.

The CDL poker room runs cash games daily in USD (the de facto currency in Lebanon after the 2019 financial collapse made LBP essentially unusable for high-value transactions). Stakes range from entry-level cash games to mid-stakes play. The room is staffed with professional dealers and follows international poker standards. A monthly tournament series is a regular feature, with occasional larger events tied to international tours.

Live Poker Venues in Lebanon

Lebanon's casino landscape is intentionally minimal — the government monopoly granted to CDL means no competitor casinos exist. The two CDL properties are the only licensed gambling venues in the country.

Note: CDL Maameltein is a smaller secondary property. For poker, the main Jounieh location is the definitive destination. Always confirm current operating hours, as the economic situation has affected scheduling.

Poker Tournaments in Lebanon: APT and the Lebanon Poker Tour

Lebanon has punched above its weight as a poker tournament destination, given its small size and the limitations imposed by a single licensed venue. Casino du Liban hosted multiple editions of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Lebanon stop, which at its peak featured Main Event guarantees exceeding $500,000. These events drew international players from across Asia, Europe, and the Arab world, capitalizing on Lebanon's unique position as the only Middle Eastern country with fully open casino gambling (no nationality restrictions).

The Lebanon Poker Tour (LPT) runs the local competitive circuit, organizing regular tournament series at CDL with buy-ins ranging from a few hundred to several thousand USD for flagship events. The LPT provides structure for the Lebanese poker community and visiting players, maintaining competitive poker activity even during difficult periods.

Since the 2019 financial collapse — which wiped out Lebanese pound savings and triggered a banking crisis affecting 85% of the population — the poker ecosystem has contracted significantly. Prize pool guarantees have decreased, tournament frequency has dropped, and some events shifted entirely to USD to maintain real value. CDL temporarily suspended operations during the 2024-2025 conflict period before resuming. Despite these challenges, Lebanon remains the most legally accessible poker destination in the Arab world for both nationals and tourists.

The Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Lebanon Poker (2019–2026)

Lebanon's financial crisis, which erupted in October 2019, is considered one of the worst economic collapses in modern history. The Lebanese pound (LBP) lost over 95% of its value against the dollar. Banks froze depositors' accounts. Unemployment rose dramatically. The crisis followed a banking sector collapse that had been building for years and was triggered by a combination of fiscal mismanagement, political dysfunction, and the August 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Casino du Liban — which had been a profitable government monopoly for 60 years — was not immune. CDL saw significant revenue declines as domestic high rollers lost their savings in the banking crisis and as regional tourism to Lebanon collapsed. The casino shifted operations aggressively to USD-denominated games, effectively abandoning LBP as a gaming currency. Poker buy-ins and cash games transitioned almost entirely to USD, creating a dollar-denominated gaming economy within the broader dollarized Lebanese economy that emerged post-2019.

The 2024-2025 regional conflict caused further disruption, with CDL temporarily suspending operations during the most acute periods of instability. As of 2026, CDL has resumed operations, but the poker ecosystem is operating at reduced scale compared to the 2015-2019 peak. Players visiting Lebanon should confirm current tournament schedules and operating hours directly with CDL before making travel plans, as conditions remain subject to change.

Visiting Lebanon to Play Poker: Practical Guide 2026

Despite Lebanon's ongoing economic and political instability, Casino du Liban remains an accessible destination for international poker players. For visitors specifically making the trip to play poker, here is what you need to know to make the most of the experience.

Lebanon vs. Regional Alternatives: Why CDL Remains Unique

Despite the economic crisis, Casino du Liban retains a position no other Middle Eastern casino can replicate: it is the only venue in the Arab world where both locals and foreigners can legally play poker without restriction. This fundamental characteristic distinguishes CDL from every other regional option.

Lebanon's open-access model makes it the destination of choice for Arab poker players who want to play in a familiar cultural environment without the nationality restrictions that apply elsewhere. The 3-hour flight from Riyadh or the 1-hour drive from Damascus makes CDL accessible to a broad regional audience. As UAE's Wynn Al Marjan Island opens in 2027, Lebanon will face direct competition for the first time, but CDL's 65+ years of operation gives it an experience and brand advantage that no new entrant can instantly match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Poker Guides