The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, adheres strictly to Sharia law, which explicitly bans the consumption of alcohol, all forms of gambling, and the use of narcotics. These prohibitions are legally enforced with severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment, public flogging, and in drug trafficking cases, the death penalty.
However, beneath the veneer of official piety and stringent laws, a complex reality of substance misuse and gambling addiction exists, particularly stark in the contrast between the enforcement on Saudi citizens and the apparent immunity often afforded to certain members of the vast Saudi Royal Family. This disparity points to a dual legal standard—a golden cage for the elite where the kingdom’s deepest taboos are flouted behind heavily-guarded gates.
👑 The Royal Exception: Drugs and Alcohol
The most compelling evidence of the double standard comes from leaked diplomatic cables and high-profile international incidents involving Saudi princes
