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ClubGG is a mobile subscription poker platform powered by the GGPoker network and has become incredibly popular across the globe. The app offers paid subscription tiers such as Standard and Platinum, allowing pokers to access satellites to participate in live tournaments. It's just one of many such poker apps now flooding the market. These often compliment real money online poker sites the likes of BetOnline Poker.
Its niche tends to be private clubs and agent-run games rather than a centralized poker room.
The app is massively popular among streamers and vloggers, including those in the Middle East.
Who knew just how popular poker has become in some Middle Eastern nations. There are some sites that cater specifically to one of the richest nations in the region, United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has historically prohibited casino gambling and therefore the nation lags behind countries like the U.S., Canada, U.K and even Israel and Lebanon when it comes to poker culture.
Nevertheless, there are elite poker players based here driving the demand for the ClubGG and similar poker apps.
Let's take a look.
Walter Treccarichi
Italian born, Walter Treccarichi now calls Dubai home.
His recorded live tournament winnings are approximately $2.08 million and he currently ranks No. 1 on the United Arab Emirates all-time money list, with a substantial lead over the next UAE-listed player.
Treccarichi has amassed a few six figure wins and a whole lot of four and five figure victories over a long period of time, as opposed to cashing out a large sum in a single live tournament.
His biggest win, according to the Hendon Mob database, came at the Italian Poker Open Main Event in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, earning the €200,000 first prize (about $214,000 at the time).
Basel Khabazeh
Basel Khabazeh is one of the more successful UAE-listed tournament poker players, having amassed $415,000 in live poker earnings over his playing career.
He also had the honor of winning the prestigious 2022 GPI National Player of the Year award for the UAE.
Eugene Golubchik
Eugene Golubchik ranks No. 3 on the All Time Money List at the Hendon Mob.
He's won $365,551 in live tournament play as of June 15, 2026.
His best finish was 2nd last year at the $ 2,000 + 200 Pot Limit Omaha - Daily Deepstack Hyper Turbo - World Series of Poker - WSOP Paradise 2025, Paradise Island.
Iraj Parvizi
Iraj Parvizi made a name for himself having won the € 10,200 No Limit Hold'em - Hyper Turbo - €5,000 Knockout - Freezeout (Event 35) - European Poker Tour - EPT Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo for a cool € 68,710. That was in 2022 and we haven't heard a whole lot more from him since.
Dubai Still Lags Behind These Three Middle Eastern Countries When It Comes to Poker Popularity
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Israel leads the way when it comes to having a thriving poker playing community. Some of the biggest online poker sites over the years were developed by Israelis. For the better part of two decades, the largest internet poker site was founded by an Israeli.
Amazingly, Israeli law broadly prohibits gambling activities, and Israeli courts have generally treated poker as a prohibited game under the law.
Don't let a little thing like that stop citizens from playing the game and winning big.
Notable players include the likes of Eli Elezra, Rafi Amit and Asi Moshe.
Lebanon has historically served as the Middle East's live poker capital.
Most gambling in the country is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the government. This still makes Lebanon among the most gambling-friendly nations in the Middle East.
Casino du Liban holds the exclusive casino license and is the country's only legal land-based casino. Poker is among the casino games offered there.
Some big name poker players are indeed Lebanese. These include the likes of Joe Hachem, Freddy Deeb and Sammy Farha.
Turkey also enjoys a significant gambling culture, including poker, where players are able to access online sites. Many Turkish poker players travel to Northern Cyprus to take part in live games. There is also a strong underground and home-game scene despite casino restrictions.
The Gambling Climate in the UAE is Changing...for the Better
Historically, gambling has been illegal in the United Arab Emirates. The situation is beginning to change, however.
The UAE has recently established a federal gaming regulator with the first ever gaming license issued to Wynn Resorts. That company is in the process of building the UAE's first casino resort, scheduled to open in 2027 in Ras Al Khaimah, about 50 miles from Dubai.
No ofifcial word yet on whether the venue will include a poker room. We're guessing YES.
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Ace King, Gambling911.com
