Independent explainer · Updated October 2026 · Not legal advice
Short answer: No. Pakistan does not license online casinos or betting apps, and gambling is restricted by law. Apps such as P999 operate without any legal permission, and authorities are blocking them and their payment channels.
The main laws
| Law | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Prevention of Gambling Act 1977 | Prohibits gambling and running gaming houses; provides fines and imprisonment. |
| Pakistan Penal Code (Section 294-A/294-B) | Covers unlawful lotteries and prize schemes. |
| Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 | Governs online crimes and gives PTA powers to block unlawful online content and apps. |
| State Bank of Pakistan rules | Wallet and bank accounts may not be used for illegal gambling; aggregator accounts are monitored. |
The narrow legal exceptions are things like on-course horse-race betting and government Prize Bonds. There is no licence for online casinos, slots, crash games or colour prediction apps.
Recent enforcement
- August 2025: the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) asked PTA to block 46 apps linked to illegal betting and unregulated trading, including well-known names such as 1xBet, Dafabet, 22Bet and Aviator-type games.
- October 2026: the FIA reportedly traced more than Rs119 billion in transactions linked to gambling apps, and mobile wallet operators closed more than 100 aggregator accounts after FIA notices.
What this means for players
- There is no licensed operator to complain to and no player-fund protection.
- Payment accounts used by these apps can be frozen at any time, taking deposits with them.
- Your own wallet or bank account may be reviewed if it is linked to gambling transactions.
- Using a VPN to reach blocked apps does not make it legal.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to a qualified lawyer in Pakistan.
Related: P999 Game review · Fake earning apps in Pakistan