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    Casino in Israel — What Exists, What Doesn't, and Where Israelis Travel

    The search "casino in Eilat" is one of the most common in Israel, and the answer has been consistent for decades: there is no licensed casino anywhere in the State of Israel. This page explains why, what happened with the initiatives over the years, and which destinations are actually active nearby.

    • Why there is no casino in Eilat — the legal background
    • Casinos in Cyprus: Limassol, Ayia Napa, Paphos
    • San Remo, Greece and Turkey — nearby destinations
    • Casino ships — what happened to them
    • What is legal in Israel itself
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    Why there is no casino in Eilat

    Proposals to build a casino in Eilat have come up repeatedly since the 1990s — as an engine for tourism and jobs — and have been rejected each time for social, political and religious reasons, and out of concern for addiction harm. As of today there is no law permitting casino operation in Israel, so there is no casino in Eilat and no casino in any other Israeli city.

    Cyprus — the closest destination

    Limassol hosts the largest integrated casino on the island, alongside satellite casinos in Ayia Napa, Paphos and Larnaca. The flight from Israel is short, making it the most popular destination. Full details — prices, entry age, dress code and games — on our Cyprus casinos page.

    San Remo and European destinations

    The San Remo Casino in Italy is one of the oldest in Europe — everything about it is on our San Remo page. Other nearby options: Batumi in Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Malta. A full "is there a casino in…" list lives on our casino destinations page.

    Casino ships

    In the past, ships sailed from Israeli ports into international waters and operated tables out at sea. This activity was stopped due to enforcement and regulation. Today, casino access for Israelis is mainly available on international cruises departing from ports abroad.

    And in Israel itself — what is allowed

    Only the national lottery (Mifal HaPayis) and the sports betting council are regulated. Full details on our gambling legality page. Social card games and virtual-currency play are a different category — for example free poker and the Israeli club on ClubGG, where you play against other players in a closed community with Hebrew support.

    Before you travel — a few practical points

    Dress code at European casinos is usually smart casual; a passport is required for entry; minimum age is 18 or 21 depending on the country; currency conversion and local withdrawal fees; and cash declaration limits at customs. It's worth setting a budget in advance — see responsible gambling and house edge.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is there a casino in Israel?
    No. There is no licensed casino anywhere in Israel — not in Eilat and not in any other city. Only the national lottery and sports betting are legally regulated.
    Why is there no casino in Eilat?
    Repeated initiatives since the 1990s were rejected for social, political and religious reasons and over concerns about addiction harm. No law permitting it has been enacted.
    Where is the closest casino to Israel?
    Cyprus — a large integrated casino in Limassol and satellite casinos in Ayia Napa, Paphos and Larnaca, plus dozens more in the northern part of the island.
    Are there still casino ships from Israel?
    No. The activity was stopped following enforcement and regulation. Casino cruises are mainly available on voyages departing from ports abroad.
    What is the minimum age for casino entry?
    Depends on the country — usually 18 in Europe and 21 in some destinations. A passport is always required for entry.