The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing to roll out its first structured online gaming framework, with the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) set to allow one business-to-consumer (B2C) licence per emirate. The move follows the same model used for the country’s emerging land-based casino industry and represents a major step toward a regulated national iGaming market.
One Licence Per Emirate
The GCGRA will permit each of the UAE’s seven emirates to issue one operator licence for online gaming, subject to local government approval. This means participation will depend on each emirate’s individual decision to proceed, making the framework flexible yet controlled.
A similar structure applies to the country’s land-based gaming sector. So far, only one casino licence has been issued—to Wynn Resorts, which is developing a US$5 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The project, which will feature the UAE’s first regulated casino, is already viewed as a landmark development for the region.
Industry observers believe Abu Dhabi could be next to receive a land-based licence, though not all emirates are expected to join. Analysts forecast that only two or three emirates may opt into online gaming, reflecting the UAE’s measured approach to expansion in the sector.
Groundwork for Online Regulation
Reports indicate that regulatory and commercial foundations for iGaming are already being established. The GCGRA has recently approved several B2B supplier licences, signaling readiness for a broader rollout of online and sports wagering operations.
Among the latest recipients are Hub 88 Holdings Ltd, an iGaming platform provider, and Sportradar AG, a global leader in sports data and analytics. Sportradar’s vendor licence, announced last week, allows it to supply its technology, analytics, and integrity services to licensed operators within the UAE, underscoring the country’s transition from planning to implementation.
The GCGRA, founded in 2023, serves as the UAE’s federal authority for licensing, regulation, and oversight of all commercial gaming and national lottery activity. Its recent licensing moves suggest the first operator approvals for online gaming and sports betting could arrive soon.
Innovation-Led Regulation
During his address at the SBC Summit in Lisbon in September, Kevin Mullally, CEO of the GCGRA, outlined an ambitious vision for the UAE to become a global hub for gaming technology and innovation.
“Our message to the industry and the technology providers is don’t design your game around the regulations,” Mullally said. “Technology should lead, not the regulations.”
He encouraged developers to integrate new mechanics, reflexive math, and social interaction into their products, emphasizing that the regulator will adapt to emerging technologies rather than restrict them.
“Whatever you bring us, we will design a way, we will make sure it’s safe, we will make sure that we have data to ensure that the customer experience is protected,” Mullally explained. “We want innovation to lead and regulation to adapt, not the other way around.”
Mullally added that the UAE intends to “redefine what gaming is for the rest of the world,” positioning the country as a benchmark for balancing innovation, regulation, and player protection.
Cementing a New Role in the MENA Region
Industry analysts believe the UAE’s gradual and technology-driven approach could reshape the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) gaming landscape. By integrating regulatory oversight with modern gaming frameworks, the GCGRA is laying the groundwork for an ecosystem that prioritizes both innovation and integrity.
The framework—combining limited licensing, federal supervision, and an innovation-first philosophy—marks a historic moment in the UAE’s transition toward a regulated, responsible, and forward-thinking gaming market.
Sources:
UAE Plans to Offer One Online Gambling Licence Per Emirate, asgam.com, October 2025.
