It has been mentioned that “life is more enjoyable when you have something at stake.” Actually, that was a slogan used in a DraftKings advertisement. A "gambling" firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is seeking a solution. 

In Islam, gambling, along with other pleasures, is forbidden, yet Hajem Sports offers a method for bettors to "wager" on soccer matches in a manner that adheres to Halal principles. Founder Zaid Abu Soud launched the mobile application in January, and instead of asking bettors to deposit money, Hajem Sports gives users daily credits that can be utilized for betting. Successful bets are rewarded with points that can be spent on avatar skins within the app. 

The no-cost prediction model has been introduced in the US, typically in states where sports betting is prohibited or by gaming firms and teams aiming to offer easier ways for beginner bettors to engage with the activity and possibly move towards conventional sports gambling. Typically, those games lack cash rewards — a system adopted by Hajem Sports. The UAE app aims to leverage the social aspect of betting.

"Earn bragging rights as you rack up accurate predictions. Compete in friendly challenges with your team or other fans, and climb the leaderboards to prove you’re the best sports predictor out there,” according to a description of the app on the Google Play  store.

Abu Soud informed The National that Hajem Sports offers clients the uplifting emotional aspect tied to winning a sports bet, free from the negative feelings linked to losing money. 

UAE Adopting a Progressive Stance on Betting 

Due to Islam's prohibition on gambling for money, discovering legal and regulated gaming opportunities in the Arab world has historically been unfeasible, but this is beginning to shift, with the UAE leading the way in this liberalization. 

The Emirates are the pioneering Middle East country to sanction a casino hotel, with Wynn Al Marjan Island anticipated to launch in early 2027. That property is anticipated to feature two casinos, and it’s likely that in the long run, UAE gaming regulators will approve several additional integrated resorts. 

The UAE is adopting a practical strategy for gaming growth since it's largely anticipated that Wynn Al Marjan will be the sole establishment of its type in the region for years until another similar venue is authorized. 

The nation also features a national lottery where participants purchase tickets with the hope of securing substantial cash rewards. It was released last November. 

‘Betting Without the Vice’ 

Abu Soud sees his app as a means for “gambling without the sin,” suggesting that he doesn’t intend to go against Islam; instead, he seeks to offer Arab and Muslim clients an opportunity to engage in an activity that is lawful in many Western countries while avoiding transgressions of their beliefs. 

Hajem Sports adheres to at least one Western principle. This means that the majority of bettors aren't wagering significant amounts of money on the activity. Instead, they set aside modest amounts for gambling and see it as a form of entertainment rather than a means of earning money. 

Hajem Sports aims to include basketball, combat sports, and eSports to its selection of “wagering” choices.