Why was GTA V banned for 12 years in UAE and Saudi Arabia? Now rated +21 and approved for release

TL;DR

• GTA V and GTA Online are officially rated +21 and launching in Saudi Arabia and UAE on July 17, 2025.
  
  
  
• The release ends a 12-year delay caused by strict regional content regulations.
  
  
• Casino features are expected to remain disabled to comply with local gambling laws.
• This approval paves the way for GTA VI’s timely Middle East release in 2026 and signals growing acceptance of gaming culture in the Gulf.

A Landmark Moment for Middle East Gamers

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), the critically acclaimed open-world action game from Rockstar Games , is finally being released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 17, 2025, nearly 12 years after its global debut in 2013.

The announcement came via the General Authority of Media Regulation (GAMR) in Saudi Arabia and the official PlayStation Middle East Twitter account. Both confirmed that GTA V and GTA Online have now been officially rated and approved for release in the region.

On Thursday, July 3, the official PlayStation Middle East account announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online are now rated +21 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, offering fans the ultimate entertainment experience.

عِش تجربة الترفيه الهائلة مع Grand Theft Auto V وGrand Theft Auto Online المصنفة +21 في المملكة العربية السعودية ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة.

متوفرة في 17 يوليو على PlayStation 5. pic.twitter.com/52S3VEURJK

— PlayStation Arabia (@PlayStation_ME) July 3, 2025

This decision signals a significant policy shift in how game content is regulated in the Gulf. The long-awaited green light is being hailed by fans as not just a delayed celebration for GTA V, but a hopeful sign for the timely arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for May 26, 2026.

Why Was GTA V Delayed in the Middle East?

Although GTA V was never officially banned in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, its release was effectively blocked for over a decade due to the region’s stringent media regulations.

Primary Reasons for the Delay:

• Mature Themes: The game’s depiction of violence, drug use, sexual content, and crime clashed with local standards.
  
  
• Content Review Processes: Games must undergo detailed scrutiny by regulatory bodies like:
  
  
  • Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Media Regulation (GAMR)
    
    
  • UAE Media Council
    
    
• Casino Features: Since 2019, gambling-related content in GTA Online (like the virtual casino) has been explicitly prohibited in both countries.
  
  

Despite the demand, local stores could not sell GTA V legally. Many players relied on imported physical copies or created foreign digital accounts to access the game.

Even the GTA Trilogy only gained approval more than two years after its global launch, highlighting the slow, case-by-case process of licensing titles with mature content.
What’s Changing Now?

With approval secured, GTA V and GTA Online will now be officially available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, in both digital and physical formats, with a 21+ age rating, stricter than the 18+ or 17+ (ESRB’s M) ratings in most other countries.

What’s Included and What’s Not:

• Full single-player experience
  
  
• Access to GTA Online
  
  
• Casino features in GTA Online are expected to remain disabled, in line with regional laws prohibiting gambling.
  
  
• Other content adjustments, if any, have not been disclosed
  
  

This rollout comes after negotiations between Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, and local regulatory bodies. It's also understood that the deal includes future titles, setting a precedent for upcoming releases to launch without long delays.


What This Means for GTA VI and the Middle East Gaming Market

The approval of GTA V is being interpreted by many as a strategic shift in the way the Gulf region is approaching gaming.

Broader Implications:

• Path Cleared for GTA VI: With GTA V now allowed, it’s increasingly likely that GTA VI could launch on or close to its global release date in the Middle East, May 26, 2026.
  
  
• Content Still Under Watch: Regulators may continue to impose localized restrictions (e.g., censoring certain missions or features), but the door is now open.
  
  
• Gaming Sector Growth: This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which promotes investment in esports and entertainment as part of economic diversification.
  
  
• Cultural Shift: The decision reflects a greater acceptance of gaming culture and recognition of the region’s active gaming community.

Historical Context

Games like GTA IV were previously withheld in the Gulf due to concerns over violence, drugs, and sexual content. Similar restrictions have affected many AAA titles in the region. Despite this, GTA has remained hugely popular, with players often resorting to imports and digital workarounds to access the games.



FAQs:

• Q. Why was GTA V delayed in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

Due to mature content like violence, drugs, and gambling, it required lengthy approval from local regulators with strict media rules.

• Q. When will GTA V be officially available in these countries?

The official launch date is July 17, 2025, for both physical and digital versions on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

• Q. Will GTA Online’s casino features be accessible?

No, casino and gambling-related content will remain disabled to comply with local laws.

• Q. Does this mean GTA VI will release on time in the Middle East?

This approval suggests GTA VI could launch near its global release date on May 26, 2026, without long delays.

• Q. Are there any content changes beyond casino restrictions?

Other content adjustments have not been disclosed, but regulators may impose localized restrictions if necessary.