The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to introduce a national lottery, managed by The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
On Sunday, the GCGRA announced it had awarded the ‘UAE Lottery’ contract to The Game LLC, which will be responsible for launching the Gulf region’s first national lottery and associated services.
This announcement coincided with the launch of the GCGRA’s official website, which is designated as the exclusive authority to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE.
In 2023, the UAE appointed former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren and associate Kevin Mullaly as Chairman and CEO of the GCGRA to explore commercial gambling opportunities.
The appointments of Murren and Mullaly indicated the UAE’s plan to launch exclusive tenders for casino resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai under strict conditions.
Although the regulatory framework is not yet finalized, the GCGRA’s website outlines its mandate to oversee all commercial gaming activities in the UAE, including lotteries, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based integrated gaming resorts.
The GCGRA is tasked with creating a well-regulated commercial gaming sector in the UAE, focusing on transparency, accountability, consumer protection, and responsible gambling practices.
The GCGRA will also oversee all businesses and individuals involved in UAE gambling activities, ensuring a safe environment for commercial gaming to thrive responsibly.
Initiatives include a Socially Responsible Gaming Program covering player education, responsible marketing, employee training, and evaluation plans to measure effectiveness.
Additionally, gaming operators in the UAE will undergo rigorous audits every two years to ensure compliance with the GCGRA’s Responsible Gaming Framework. Licensed businesses must appoint a key person to maintain socially responsible gaming standards.
Licensing will require operators to be either a qualifying domiciled domestic entity (QDE) or have a partnership with a regional business. A QDE is defined as a UAE company with substantial business operations in the jurisdiction.
Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to be the first recipient of a gaming license, with other potential sites including Atlantis Dubai and the upcoming MGM Dubai.
The market potential for casinos in the UAE is significant, with analysts at CBRE projecting that UAE casinos could generate up to $8.5 billion in revenue.
The launch of the UAE lottery is seen as the first step in establishing a regulatory framework for gambling in the Emirates. The Game LLC operates as a subsidiary of Momentum, an Abu Dhabi-based company specializing in mobile game development, virtual reality, iGaming, and esports management.
The GCGRA has not commented directly on the license award, and the launch date for the UAE Lottery remains unspecified.
Jim Murren stated: “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.”
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