Grand Theft Auto 5 has become legal to buy and own in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, 12 years after its initial release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game received a surprise 21+ rating from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council in June, leading to its official release in both countries today.
Previously, players in these regions could only access GTA 5 by importing physical copies or creating digital storefront accounts based in other countries, which often carried risks such as customs seizure. Now, with official approval, the game can be promoted and sold openly, which will likely lead to a noticeable increase in sales.
عِش تجربة الترفيه الهائلة مع Grand Theft Auto V وGrand Theft Auto Online المصنفة +21 في المملكة العربية السعودية ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة.
متوفرة في 17 يوليو على PlayStation 5. pic.twitter.com/52S3VEURJK
— PlayStation Arabia (@PlayStation_ME) July 3, 2025
The introduction of the 21+ rating is particularly noteworthy because it represents a new classification in Saudi Arabia’s system. It allows GTA 5 to be sold without modifications, unlike some other titles that have faced censorship or outright bans. For example, The Witcher 3 was edited to meet local requirements, while Final Fantasy 16 remains banned because the publisher declined to make changes.
Saudi Arabia is known for its conservative policies: women were not allowed to drive until 2018, and LGBTQ+ rights remain severely restricted. Yet, the country has been investing heavily in the gaming industry under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Public Investment Fund, chaired by the prince, has poured billions into companies such as Electronic Arts, Embracer, SNK, and Niantic. Esports has also become a major focus, with Saudi Arabia owning ESL Gaming and FACEIT, hosting the Esports World Cup, and planning to hold the Olympic Esports Games in 2027.
Despite the controversies, the newly legal status of GTA 5 in Saudi Arabia may boost sales, although Rockstar announced in May 2025 that the game had surpassed 215 million copies sold worldwide, with the entire GTA series nearing 450 million. This milestone shows the franchise’s enduring popularity.
