GTA V game finally launches in these two countries after a 12-year ban

GTA V

Grand Theft Auto V has finally launched in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, nearly 12 years after its original global release. Rockstar Games’ open-world title became officially available across consoles and PC from July 17, 2025, after receiving regulatory approval under a new 21+ age classification.

GTA V was initially banned across much of the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, due to its mature content. Themes such as drug use, sexual activity, and graphic violence clashed with strict local content laws. Players in these countries could only access the game unofficially, through imported discs or foreign digital accounts. Despite its popularity worldwide, the title remained off the shelves locally until this regulatory breakthrough.

The approval was made possible by the introduction of a new content framework, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. The game is being sold under a 21+ rating, which goes beyond the standard 18+ seen in most global markets. This allows the uncensored version of GTA V to be officially distributed, while keeping gambling-related elements of GTA Online disabled to respect local legal and religious restrictions.

Aside from gambling, the rest of the game — including all missions, storylines, and language options — is being made available without cuts or edits. A new regional distribution deal with Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company will handle sales of Take-Two Interactive titles going forward. This includes upcoming blockbuster games such as GTA VI, NBA 2K, and Red Dead Redemption titles.

Industry analysts see this launch as a turning point in the MENA region’s approach to gaming regulation. The release of GTA V not only reflects growing maturity in content evaluation but also ties into broader economic ambitions. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan highlights digital entertainment and gaming as key drivers of economic diversification, and the approval of major titles like GTA V signals more openness towards high-profile, adult-rated games in the years ahead.