The gambling sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has moved forward at a measured pace since the country established a regulated commercial gaming market in 2023.
Recent developments show that international gaming companies and local regulators are laying the foundations for long-term growth.
There has been a wave of recent developments that suggest the UAE is ready to take the sector to a new level. Read on as we take a closer look.
Global Gaming Companies Continue to Choose the UAE Market
Playtech has officially joined the growing list of businesses approved to operate in the country after its subsidiary, VS Technology Ltd, received a gaming-related vendor license.
The approval makes Playtech’s subsidiary the 23rd company to receive this type of license, allowing it to supply technology, software or services to licensed gaming businesses in the country.
VS Technology Ltd has been part of Playtech since 2009 after developing the EdGE aggregation platform.
The platform is no longer active, but the subsidiary is now part of Playtech’s wider offering, giving the company another route into one of the industry’s newest regulated markets.
The approval places Playtech alongside many reputable supplier names already licensed in the UAE. They include Aristocrat, International Game Technology, Light & Wonder, Novomatic, Konami and Scientific Games.
Newer approvals have also been granted to specialist businesses supplying gaming tables and online casino content.
This development will increase interest in trusted information sources such as Haztayeb UAE casino reviews as gamers look for pointers on the best platforms in the country.
It also shows that the government is building a reliable network of suppliers before allowing large numbers of casinos or gaming operators to enter the market.
Only a handful of companies have been given licences to actually operate gaming businesses.
Wynn Resorts has permission to build the country’s first land-based casino at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, The Game LLC runs the UAE Lottery and Momentum operates Play971.
Fanatics Enters the UAE as Confidence in Regulation Continues to Grow
Fanatics Gaming has partnered with UAE-based Momentum Group, forming a joint venture that has already been approved by the GCGRA.
That also includes regulatory clearance for the change in control of Momentum’s licensed entities.
The partnership benefits both companies. Fanatics will gain access to what many people believe could become one of the world’s most promising new gaming markets.
Momentum benefits from Fanatics’ global experience, technology and expertise.
They plan to improve digital gaming services, develop better technology and offer products that fully comply with UAE regulations.
Fanatics Gaming President Conor Grant described the UAE as ‘one of the most carefully regulated gaming markets in the world’. He also praised Momentum’s existing operations as an example of responsible business within that framework.
Momentum also believes that combining its understanding of the local market with Fanatics’ international experience creates a partnership capable of keeping up with any future expansion in the industry.
This deal reflects a wider trend taking shape across the UAE’s gaming sector. Rather than rushing into the market, foreign companies are choosing to work with established local businesses that already understand the country’s laws and business environment.
That makes it easier for them to adapt to local rules and reduces the risk of regulatory problems. The partnership also proves that the UAE are taking their stance on responsible gaming seriously.
Strong Legal Leadership Strengthens the Next Stage of Regulation
One of the biggest recent developments came from within the UAE’s regulator itself, with the GCGRA appointing Dr Ahmed Hesham as its new General Counsel and Board Secretary.
He is one of the UAE’s most experienced legal and regulatory professionals, and his addition to the senior leadership team will help ensure the industry is built on strong legal foundations.
Dr Hesham’s job is to oversee the legal side of regulating commercial gaming, making sure operators follow the rules, licences are granted properly, and the regulatory system remains fair and effective as the market grows.
He brings more than 25 years of legal, regulatory and public policy experience. Before joining the GCGRA, he served as General Counsel and Senior Legal Adviser to the UAE federal government.
He played an important role in major legislative reforms covering labour law, domestic workers, unemployment insurance, higher education and Emiratisation initiatives.
His career has also included serving as a judge and vice-president of the Supreme Administrative Court, giving him extensive experience in judicial decision-making as well as public policy.
The regulator believes that background will help strengthen governance as the commercial gaming industry continues to develop.
His appointment follows another major leadership change earlier this year when former Crown Resorts chief executive Ciaran Carruthers became the GCGRA’s new chief executive officer.
