The next Grand Theft Auto is barrelling toward us like a freight train, and with it, the gaming industry is bracing for what could be the biggest release of all time. After GTA V soared to become the most profitable entertainment product of all time, there are similarly high hopes that GTA 6 can exceed expectations.
As we head toward GTA 6‘s November 19 release, pre-orders are now live, and fans are splashing the cash to make sure they can play on day one. Some companies are even closing because they know their workforce will be pulling a sickie just to get back into Vice City before their mates.
It’s somewhat ironic that while experts predict the next instalment could earn $1 billion in pre-orders alone, it’s also reportedly banned for one billion wannabe gamers.
Which Countries Have Banned GTA VI?
According to PlayStation‘s official store pages, Grand Theft Auto VI is not available for pre-order in eight countries: Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the Russian Federation, and Taiwan.
This restriction applies to the game itself, not just the GTA+ pre-order bonus. Residents of these countries cannot purchase physical or digital copies of GTA 6 through official stores.
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | Restricted |
| China | Restricted |
| Kuwait | Restricted |
| Lebanon | Restricted |
| Oman | Restricted |
| Qatar | Restricted |
| Russia | Restricted |
| Taiwan | Restricted |
Currently excluding over one billion potential customers, this list is expected to grow, especially in countries known to block games with extreme violence, depictions of sex, and LGBTQ+ themes.
Russia and China: The Biggest Exclusions
Russia’s exclusion is particularly significant. The game cannot be activated on Russian PSN or Xbox accounts. Keys purchased for supported regions will not work on Russian accounts. The only workaround is creating a PlayStation profile in a supported region.
China, arguably the biggest video game market in the world, is also on the ban list. Whether Rockstar will release a China-specific version remains to be seen, but that would presumably require considerable editing and censoring.
A History of Controversy
Grand Theft Auto has a colourful history when it comes to being banned. GTA 6 was notably banned in Thailand when a teen robbed and killed a taxi driver to mimic the game. Tajikistan banned the entire franchise over fears it promotes violence among the younger generation.
Although not a widespread ban in the USA, the ESRB was forced to change GTA: San Andreas‘ rating to Adults Only (AO) when the ‘Hot Coffee’ sex-based minigame was found in the 2004 title.
GTA Online has also landed publisher Take-Two Interactive in trouble. When it introduced the “Diamond Casino & Resort” update, its themes of gambling led to the popular online component being banned in over 50 countries.
The GTA+ Confusion
There’s some nuance to the situation. Some outlets have noted that PlayStation’s wording specifically refers to the package that includes a month of GTA+, presumably being banned due to its online content.
According to Bahraini gaming expert Abdulla Abdulrahman, the PlayStation notice refers only to the GTA+ promotional offer, not the availability of the game itself. However, uncertainty remains, as PlayStation store pages in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman list Grand Theft Auto VI as unavailable for purchase.
While GTA VI appears restricted in Kuwait and Oman, the main game is available in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Qatar. That could change, but there’s not a total ban across the entire Gulf region.
Rating and Age Restrictions
In the United Kingdom, GTA VI has been awarded an 18 rating from the Video Standards Council (VSC), using the PEGI system. This means it can’t legally be sold to anyone under the age of 18. In the USA, it’s expected to be rated M (Mature 17+) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Also, Read
- GTA 6 Branded A ‘Rip Off’ As Inflated Prices Plague Gamers Outside Of The US
- GTA 6 Pre-Orders Boycotted By Major Retailers Amid Disc Controversy
- GTA 6 ‘Plays Best on PS5’ Claims Spark Backlash as Xbox Gets Second-Class Treatment
The Bottom Line
Even though locking over one billion players out of GTA VI in any form might sound like it’ll hit the publisher in the pocket, the fact that pretty much the entire rest of the world will be playing means the dollars will soon be rolling in. Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.