Are Arcade Games Permissible to Play?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Are arcade games permissible to play? Do they qualify as gambling if players pay a fee to win tickets that can be redeemed for prizes?

Does it remain permissible if the games are played purely for fun without redeeming the tickets?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

If players pay to play arcade games with the expectation of winning tickets that can be redeemed for prizes, this does qualify as gambling, and Allah knows best.

Gambling (Qimar) is explicitly prohibited in Islam, as Allah (Most High) states,

“O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.” [Quran, 5:90]

In such cases, the act of paying for the chance to win a prize introduces an element of uncertainty and risk, which are defining characteristics of gambling.

Is It Permissible to Play Arcade Games Purely for Fun Without Redeeming Tickets?

If the arcade games are played purely for entertainment without redeeming tickets for prizes, they do not involve gambling. However, the general permissibility would still depend on:

• Content of the Games: The games should not promote sinful behavior, inappropriate themes, or wasteful habits.
• Time Management: Excessive time spent on such games may lead to neglect of religious and worldly responsibilities.
• Financial Expenditure: Spending money on such activities should not lead to extravagance or financial waste.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) emphasized the importance of using time and resources wisely, stating:

“The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Judgment until they are asked about their life and how they spent it…” [Tirmidhi]

Conclusion

• Arcade games involving payment with the possibility of winning redeemable tickets constitute gambling and are impermissible.
• Playing purely for fun without redeeming tickets can be permissible, provided the games themselves do not promote anything prohibited, and the activity does not lead to wasting time or money excessively.

Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.