Grand Theft Auto V is officially legal to buy and own in Saudi Arabia and the UAE as of July 17 – more than a decade after its original launch!
More than a decade after its global release, GTA 5 is finally legal in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It’s surprising news, but also one suggesting that gaming culture may or may not be changing for the better in both countries.
12 Years Later, Grand Theft Auto 5 Is Now Legal in Saudi Arabia and UAE
Since its release, GTA 5 has faced game censorship Middle East due to its controversial content. That changed when a 21 rating GTA received in June from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council, making Grand Theft Auto legal for players over 21.
The lack of UAE game approval didn’t mean that accessing GTA 5 Saudi Arabia was impossible, as players could import the game from other countries or spoof accounts. However, these methods couldn’t ensure the freedom guaranteed by legal access to such a popular title.
Furthermore, with the changing availability of GTA 5 2025, other titles can also hope to pass Saudi game censorship. While The Witcher 3 is only available in edited form, and FINAL FANTASY XVI was banned outright, this change suggests that both countries might become more open to accepting video games in their unmodified form.
However, concerns about human rights remain a significant issue in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Especially vital is the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Savvy Games Group’s (of which he is chairman) unexpected shift towards investing billions of dollars in gaming and video game companies.
It’s also interesting that the Middle East is increasingly opening up to esports. For example, Saudi Arabia planned to host the first esports Olympic Games in 2025, but organizers eventually postponed the event to 2027. Many observers of the political and gaming scene point out that it may be a symptom of esportswashing (diverting public attention from human rights concerns using games and esports).
Meanwhile, Rockstar Games’ May report reveals that GTA V surpassed 215 million sales globally. It’s more than likely that the title’s availability in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will further boost Rockstar sales, which is excellent news for both its audience and the publisher!