Grand Theft Auto Banned: Why GTA San Andreas Was Restricted in Different Countries?
GTA San Andreas is an adventurous and legendary game that is loved for its amazing maps and stories. This game is played worldwide, but due to some issues, grand theft auto banned in some countries. This game was released in 2004, but by late 2025, it had sold 455 million copies worldwide.
GTA San Andreas is likedis liked by everyone, but its popularity is down in some countries. So why popularity of gta sa apk is decrease due to drugs, aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, drugs, gambling, social isolation, mental health, limitation of criminal acts, and reduced empathy, etc.?
The main problem stemmed from the hot coffee scandal, and Australia then banned this Rockstar game from its stores.
History of GTA Bans and Censorship (Timeline)
Open-world crime gameplay of GTA SA is attractive and enjoyable for players, but this is crime for the eyes of the government, which later strengthened the grand theft auto banned narrative in many countries.
In 2001, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto III, which introduced car theft as a feature. When youngsters play this game and steal cars, kill people by shooting. So, in youngsters, violence is created in their mind and they also apply it in real life.
In 2004, a new phenomenon of hot coffee scandal are arise, and players also unlocked hidden sex content that caused harmful effects on youngsters’ thinking. Thus, the ESRB, abbreviationanthe, anan abbreviation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board, researched this problem and changed the rating from M (17+) to AO (18+).
After some years when GTAV was reales then some countries (UAE, Thailand, Australia, Germany) banned it instantly due to its sexual content, and public claims of youth violence influence.
GTA Ban in Australia: Sexual Content Controversy
The main reason Grand Theft Auto was banned in Australia was its Hot Coffee sexual mini-game, which is harmful to youngsters. Due to this nature, the game was removed from stores, but a censored version is available for re-release.
GTA Restrictions in Germany Due to Violence
The main reason of grand theft auto banned in Germany was desensitization to violence, which can decrease youngsters’ sensitivity to real-world violence. Therefore, BPjM took action against this game and banned it in Germany. MaThisame wThiseleasemayncluding some restrictions.
Why GTA Was Banned in UAE and Saudi Arabia
The main reason of banning in the UAE and Saudi Arabia was Drugs addictioc, unlocked hidden sex, and gory violence for about 12 years.
But in 2025, GTA V will be officially released and playable by people 21+ years old or older.
GTA Series Ban in Thailand After Youth Violence Incident
Themain reason for banning this game in Thailand was the incident of a taxi driver’s murder. Because a youngster killed the taxi driver and said that hen inspire from gta san andreas game and murdered the driver. Thus, the Thai government immediately restricted the entire series.
Complete Ban of GTA Series in China
The main reason for the full ban of entirely banning of gta series in China was reduced empathy, social isolation, Violence, drugs, sexual content, Western themes, etc.
Other Countries With Partial GTA Restrictions
In some countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, European & Asian countries, this game was partially banned due to it agfe restriction, censored versions, smoking and drinking alcohol.
Religious Perspective on GTA (Islamic View)
Some Islamic scholars consider GTA haram because of crime, violence, sexual content, drugs, and alcohol, which also supports why grand theft auto banned discussions arise in Muslim countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About GTA Bans
Is GTA available in China?
No, it’s not available in China because it’s totally banned in this country due to its violent behaviour.
Is GTA 5 banned in any country?
Yes, it was banned in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but the age limit is 21+.
Is GTA legal in the UAE now?
Yes, on July 15, 2025, GTA San Andreas was officially launched in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Is GTA haram in Islam?
Yes, Islamic scholars said that this game is haRAM BECAUSE OF ITS VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR, DRINKING ALCOHOL, and unlocked sexual content.
Conclusion: Why Grand Theft Auto Was Banned in Some Countries
This game was banned in some countries due to violent gameplay, negative behavior consequences, immoral content, and drinking alcohol that encourages teenagers to drink alcohol.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, this game was officially launched, but there is an age restriction. Only people 21+ were allowed to play this game. But in China, this game is entirely banned. But in some countries, this game was partially banned, and the grand theft auto banned status still remains strict in several regions.