As is the case with just about every Grand Theft Auto game since the series debuted, GTA VI is banned in a number of countries. Even ahead of the launch, this has been more or less confirmed by a FAQ section on the PlayStation Store product page for GTA VI, where Sony lists the eligibility requirements for the free month of GTA+. The listed countries are Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the Russian Federation, and Taiwan. That's not to say that players in those countries will be entirely unable to play GTA VI, but it will likely be impossible to buy a physical copy of the game in those regions.

Those interested in playing GTA VI in countries where it is banned will need to import a physical copy or purchase a digital copy from an account registered in another country, where GTA VI is not banned. As recently as 2019, the GTA Online Diamond Casino was banned in a long list of countries thanks to anti-gambling laws. The reason for the GTA VI bans are currently unknown, but GTA games normally have any manner of explicit or restricted content that could trigger a ban in countries with more restrictive laws against themes like violence, gambling, alcohol, or sexual content.