In the United Arab Emirates, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) launched its website detailing the country’s new regulatory framework. The launch coincided with the issuance of the first lottery license to a commercial operator, signalling the start of a new era in the UAE’s gaming industry.
The GCGRA was created in 2023 to oversee and regulate gaming activities within the country. According to a note from CBRE Institutional Research, the website is a “key marker and potential sentiment-changer,” representing a major step forward for the gaming industry in the country.
The new website now outlines details regarding the licensing process, renewal procedures, and operator requirements.
Licensing process
To apply for a gambling license, operators must first undergo an initial screening before submitting a detailed application, which includes their business plans and compliance strategies. Operators must then establish a “qualifying domestic entity” in the UAE or partner with a UAE company. Approved licensees will be audited every two years.
Renewal rules
John DeCree, an analyst at CBRE noted that licenses might be “perpetual” as long as operators remain compliant, suggesting a more stable and predictable licensing environment akin to Nevada’s model rather than the competitive renewal processes seen in Macau and Singapore. “The license renewal process appears more administrative in nature,” DeCree stated.
Responsible gaming
The GCGRA’s website lists strict responsible gaming requirements for operators. These include creating a Socially Responsible Gaming Programme that covers player education, responsible marketing, employee training, and evaluation. Operators must also have a dedicated staff member to manage these efforts.
Players can set deposit limits and enforce cooling-off periods of at least 72 hours to restrict access. Engaging with unlicensed operators is illegal and carries severe penalties. Players are encouraged to use tools to self-exclude and set gaming limits.
“The next gaming frontier”
According to CBRE, “The UAE is still the next gaming frontier. We continue to believe the UAE is one of the most attractive global gaming opportunities today. The GCGRA is staffed by well-known and experienced gaming veterans and has been working expeditiously to craft industry-leading regulations, which are now becoming visible. The incremental thoroughness and depth of the licensing process laid out should be well-received by the investment community that has been seeking transparency on this global gaming expansion opportunity.”
Kevin P. Mullally, CEO of the GCGRA, explained: “We are dedicated to cultivating a gaming landscape that balances innovation with integrity, driving the industry forward into a future where technology and regulation work hand in hand to unlock the economic potential of commercial gaming in a responsible manner”.
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