The United Arab Emirates continues shaping its commercial gaming and lottery market, issuing fresh vendor licences and securing new partnerships to support regulatory compliance and secure operations. Novomatic and EQL Games have become the latest recipients of vendor licences from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), while the national lottery operator, The Game LLC, has formalised a partnership with Xpoint for location-based player verification.
Novomatic Enters UAE’s Land-Based Gaming Sector
Novomatic, the Austria-headquartered gaming technology provider, has obtained a commercial gaming vendor licence from the GCGRA. The licence allows Novomatic to operate within the UAE’s land-based casino environment, which is undergoing a significant transformation following the issuance of the country’s first land-based gaming licence to Wynn Resorts.
Novomatic confirmed the development in a statement on 10 April, with executive board member Stefan Krenn outlining the company’s regional goals. “Our latest gaming solutions are designed to deliver exceptional performance to land-based gaming facilities across the United Arab Emirates, ensuring that international players can enjoy their preferred games with the same high standards and quality they expect from other jurisdictions worldwide,” he stated.
Novomatic’s entry into the market reflects the GCGRA’s ongoing efforts to attract globally recognized gaming vendors. Since its establishment in 2023, the regulatory authority has taken key steps toward building a comprehensive framework for both lottery and gambling operations.
Xpoint Teams Up with UAE Lottery for Geolocation Compliance
Alongside vendor licensing announcements, the GCGRA has approved Xpoint, a North America-based geolocation and security service provider, to work with The Game LLC—currently the UAE’s sole lottery operator. Xpoint will support compliance with geolocation mandates by ensuring that lottery access is limited to designated regions within the UAE. Access will be blocked in exclusion zones as required by regulatory standards.
According to a release issued by Xpoint on 7 April, “This collaboration supports The Game’s commitment to providing a secure and compliant lottery experience nationwide.” The Game LLC’s director of lottery operations, Bishop Woosley, also highlighted the importance of data sovereignty in the partnership: “The supplier will utilise a private cloud to ensure all data remains on UAE soil. This aligns with local regulations and will ensure the highest level of data security.”
Xpoint’s licensing by the GCGRA further reinforces the regulator’s focus on enforcing strong technological safeguards as the UAE’s digital and land-based gaming ecosystems evolve.
EQL Games Secures Approval for Lottery-Focused Offerings
EQL Games, based in Kentucky, also joined the list of licensed gaming-related vendors this week. Granted a GCGRA licence on 10 April, EQL Games will introduce a range of lottery-driven gaming solutions to the UAE market. The company focuses on high-end products for regulated platforms and views the licence as a pivotal achievement.
“Securing this licence marks a significant step for EQL Games as we continue our mission to bring innovative, secure and responsible lottery solutions to markets worldwide,” said CEO Brad Cummings in an official statement.
This development coincides with broader preparations for the launch of commercial land-based gambling in the UAE. In February, Wynn Resorts announced the completion of a $2.4 billion funding package for its integrated resort project on Al Marjan Island. Initially revealed in January 2020, the resort is expected to cost approximately $5.1 billion. As of February 2025, Wynn reported that 64% of the structural concrete for the main resort tower had been completed.
These licensing milestones and strategic partnerships underline the UAE’s commitment to building a modern, compliant, and internationally competitive gaming landscape.
Source:
UAE awards vendor licences, lottery hires geolocation security service, iGaming Business, April 11, 2025.
