UAE Announces Rules For Future Legalised Gambling

The General Commercial Gambling Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the gambling regulator in the UAE, changed the course of gambling in the emirate when it publicized regulations relating to the future of gambling on its website. 

Before July 2024, the website was password-protected, but today it details the future of casinos and gambling in the UAE, including details about licenses and how to apply. The form that allows operators to apply for a license includes all seven emirates, meaning that there is hope for gamblers across the region. 

The first licensed operator was also announced: the UAE Lottery. This license was awarded to The Game LLC, a lottery and gaming operator. They are licensed under the name “UAE Lottery” and they’re the only company to have received a gaming license. This means other major lottery operators, like Big Ticket and Mahzooz, can’t legally operate at the moment. 

The GCGRA stated in a press release: “The launch of the UAE Lottery is a pivotal event that not only marks the establishment of a disciplined world-class regulatory framework for lottery activities but also underscores our commitment to nurturing a secure and enriched commercial gaming environment in the UAE.”

There is still plenty of speculation about what gaming in the UAE would look like. According to the GCGRA, commercial gaming includes any game where chance or skill applies and money or cash equivalents are wagered in an attempt to win money or other items of value. 

The goal is for the GCGRA to regulate several types of gambling, including online gambling, lotteries, sports betting, and land-based casinos. Games would include table games, card games, and slots. This will open the door for the best UAE online casinos to attract players who are looking for convenience, a range of games, and the ability to gamble from their homes. Currently, such sites are only available offshore, according to Aneeca Younas, and she also recommends players access casinos through a VPN for added security.

The licensing framework may be operational, but as of yet, no property has been granted a gaming license. That means gambling enthusiasts will have to wait a bit longer for a casino to be licensed. 

The GCRA announced that any licensed establishment will have a mandatory audit every two years, to ensure proper training of casino employees and fair practices. “Gaming operators shall implement a Socially Responsible Gaming Program in accordance with the GCGRA’s RG Framework and have it audited at least every two years by a GCGRA-approved auditor,” the GCGRA stated. 

Each licensed facility must appoint someone who will be responsible for implementing the Socially Responsible Gaming Program. 

There are a couple of big names in the casino and resort industry hoping to secure a license in the UAE and other emirates. Wynn Al Marjan Island is set to open in 2027, and there is hope that this establishment will be one of the first to legally operate a casino. Wynn is going all out in the hopes of building casinos in the future, having also trademarked the names “Marjan Strip” and “Encore Marjan Island”.

Other hopefuls include Atlantis Dubai and MGM Dubai, the latter part of a mega-resort with three hotels called “The Island” which is currently being developed.

Analysts estimate that licensed casinos in the UAE can generate up to US $8.5 billion in revenue. This revenue will include lotteries, land-based casinos, and online platforms. According to John DeCree, an analyst at CBRE Group, Inc. “the UAE represents one of the most compelling opportunities in global gaming given its robust existing tourism industry, high propensity for luxury and consumer spending, business-friendly operating environment, strong existing transportation and lodging infrastructure, and virtually no gaming competition in the region.”