Question 607: Salaam Sheikh. I want to know if betting on football is halal or haram?
Answer 607: It is permissible to engage in sports games with balls like football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, table tennis, handball, etc. It is also permissible to watch such games at the sports stadiums or on various displays and monitors with payment or without payment as long as that does not entail a harãm act, like looking with lust, or neglecting an obligation like salãt.[1] But, it is not permissible to play it, if it involves betting.[2]
Also, playing in gambling tools, such as chess, dominoes, backgammon, and betting on them is haraam; even playing chess and backgammon [and the like] without betting is haraam.[3]
Note: Shooting or Archery and Horse riding are permissible even if they involves betting.[4] The property gained through the betting is halal. However, betting is allowed for those who take part in the competition only not for the onlookers and owners of the horses.[5]
[1] . The official website of the office of Sayyid Sistani (ha), rules concerning Games.
[2] . Tawzih al-Masael of maraja’ (annotated), Vol. 2, Pg. 962, al-Nashr al-Islami Instirution, al-Tab’ah al-Thaminah (eighth edition), Qom 1424 A.H; Mahmoodi, Sayyid Mohsin, Masael Jadid az Didgah Ulama (new issues from the view points of scholars and maraja’), Vol. 1, Pg. 107, Sahib al-Zaman Cultural and scientific publication , fourteenth edition.
[4] . Refer to: Tawzih al-Masael of maraja’ (annotated), Vol. 2, Pg. 962, al-Nashr al-Islami Instirution, al-Tab’ah al-Thaminah (eighth edition), Qom 1424 A.H; Mahmoodi, Sayyid Mohsin, Masael Jadid az Didgah Ulama (new issues from the view points of scholars and maraja’), Vol. 1, Pg. 107, Sahib al-Zaman Cultural and scientific publication , fourteenth edition.
[5] . The official website of the office of Sayyid Sistani (ha), rules concerning Gambling.