From Phoenicians to Poker Chips: A Cultural Journey Through Arab Gaming 

What ancient pastimes tell us about modern play in the MENA region

It All Started Around a Campfire

Long before online platforms and digital tokens, people across the Arab world gathered to play. Some games were for fun, others taught strategy or passed time during long journeys. But the instinct to compete, relax, and connect through games? It’s always been there.

The earliest records of organized games in the region date back to the Phoenicians, who were trading, counting, and gambling long before the rise of modern civilizations. Archaeologists have found board-game-like artifacts from Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, including early dice made of bones and stone.

Even the word “game” (لعبة) in Arabic has deep roots, appearing in classical texts across centuries — from poetry to philosophy.

Coffeehouses and Card Tables

By the 16th century, coffeehouses became central hubs of social life in cities like Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad. People didn’t just drink coffee — they played backgammon, dominoes, and storytelling games. These weren’t just pastimes; they were a way to bond, challenge each other, and share news.

Backgammon, in particular, became a regional classic. Still played in homes and cafes today, it’s a mix of luck and skill — much like many modern casino games.

When playing cards arrived via Europe and the Ottoman Empire, they quickly gained popularity across the Levant and North Africa. People adapted foreign games into familiar cultural settings — adding local slang, rituals, and humor.

The Digital Leap: Same Spirit, New Format

Fast-forward to today, and the instinct to gather and play is very much alive — just upgraded. Instead of dusty coffeehouses, there are live casino games. Instead of worn wooden tables, there are touchscreen devices.

But at the core? It’s still about strategy, chance, and social energy.

Players across MENA now enjoy blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots with live hosts — many of whom speak Arabic. The live format appeals to users who want real-time engagement, human connection, and that old familiar feeling of playing with others, even from afar.

Some older players say the experience reminds them of traditional café nights — just with faster pace and better lighting.

How Arab Casinos Keep the Culture Alive

Modern platforms like Arab casinos aren’t just offering Western-style content. Many adapt to the local vibe with:

• Arabic-language interfaces and dealers
• Familiar design elements (tiles, calligraphy, color palettes)
• Regional music and themes in slot games
• Time-sensitive game formats that suit local routines, like quick rounds during lunch or post-iftar games during Ramadan

It’s not just about play — it’s about cultural continuity, adapted to digital life.

Old Games Still Going Strong

Even with digital growth, traditional games haven’t vanished. In fact, they often run in parallel:

• Backgammon apps are hugely popular, with online leagues and local tournaments.
• Word games in Arabic (like Kalimaty or Arabic Scrabble) are thriving in app stores.
• Some casino-style platforms even incorporate storytelling themes or mythological Arab symbols — blending heritage with modern design.

The past isn’t being replaced — it’s being layered into the new.

Closing Thoughts

Games have always been part of the Arab experience — from desert tents to café tables, and now to digital screens. What changes is the format. What stays is the thrill, the conversation, and the shared joy of the game.

So whether you’re rolling dice in a backgammon app, joining a table game, or exploring slots, know this: you’re part of a much older story — one that’s still being written.