After a wait of 12 long years since its initial launch on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Grand Theft Auto 5 is now legally available for purchase and ownership in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The game, which received a 21+ rating in June from the Saudi General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council, has officially launched in both countries.

While gamers previously had the option to import the game—often with the risk of it being confiscated by customs or through alternative digital storefronts—the official approval eliminates these concerns, allowing it to be marketed as available for purchase.

A tweet by a gaming enthusiast stated:

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. Experience the immense entertainment with Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online rated 21+ in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Available on July 17 for PlayStation 5.

The decision by authorities is viewed as a significant shift, allowing for marketing strategies that previously could not be employed. This change is likely to give sales a boost for GTA 5, which Rockstar Games reported had sold over 215 million copies up to May 2025, contributing to nearly 450 million sales across the entire franchise. The 21+ rating opens up potential for approval of other titles that previously faced issues with censors, allowing a broader array of game types to be sold unedited within the country.