Grand Theft Auto V releases officially in Saudi Arabia and UAE after 12 years

After a 12-year wait, Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have finally launched in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as of July 17, 2025. The release was announced by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council.

PlayStation Arabia celebrated Grand Theft Auto V’s official launch on X, stating:

“Experience the ultimate entertainment of Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, rated 21+ in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Available on July 17 on PlayStation 5.”

Saudi gaming official Hattan Tawili called the game’s official approval “a project we have been working on for years.”

The game comes with a 21+ age rating, marking a first due to the game’s explicit content. According to Niko Partners, the 21+ rating allows much of the game’s themes and content to remain uncensored. But GTA Online’s Casino features have been disabled to comply with Saudi Arabia’s anti-gambling regulations.

The release of Grand Theft Auto V in Saudi Arabia suggests the end of decade-long strict regional regulations due to the game’s mature themes. While the game was never really banned, it couldn’t be purchased through official channels. So, Saudi gamers relied on foreign digital accounts or imported copies earmarked for other regions.

However, the official release of GTA V in Saudi Arabia has generated mixed reactions in the local gaming community. Despite approval via official sources, fans are outraged over the lack of Arabic localization, with one X user stating, “What’s the point if it’s without translation? I mean, few people here know the language, and you make it in English.”

Other users raised religious concerns, questioning whether the 21+ rating makes the game halal or not. An X user stated, “ If it gets rated 21, does that make it halal or what’s the deal?? My dear, either force Rockstar to remove the explicit scenes and nightclubs, or save your efforts for something better.”

On another note, this approval signals a shift in Saudi Arabia’s video game content policies, suggesting the region may allow for a timely release of Grand Theft Auto VI on May 9, 2026.

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