Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now place bets on the FIFA World Cup thanks to the launch of the Play971 sports betting platform — the only licensed platform of its kind in the region.
Owned by Abu Dhabi-based Coin Technology Projects LLC, the Play971 platform became the first B2C iGaming and sports wagering offer in the UAE back in November last year, when it was granted a licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
After a period of testing and soft-launching its features, Play971 has now officially rolled out its betting proposition for UAE-based customers, while remaining the only licensed provider to offer such services domestically.
While the UAE failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, local football fans still have plenty of options to support other countries in the region, such as Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Play971 offers wagering options on both mobile and desktop, backed by a comprehensive iGaming offering featuring exclusives and live dealer games from Coin Technology Projects’ Abu Dhabi studio.
However, given that the UAE is an Islamic country, there will be strict rules as to who can gamble and who cannot. The country, which consists of seven Emirates, exercises strict KYC rules by utilising the national ID system in place to distinguish between residents and citizens.
Philippa Bowland, Commercial Director for iGaming at Play971, commented: “The UAE is home to some of the most passionate and engaged sports fans in the world. For the first time, a locally rooted platform like Play971 adds a new layer to the sports experience – making it possible for fans to play sustainably, rally behind their teams, and enjoy major football moments together.”
Play971 to pioneer the iGaming space in UAE
This marks the first time in history that UAE residents will be able to legally place a wager not only on the World Cup but also on other international and local sports fixtures through Play971’s offer.
It comes at a time when the Middle East is becoming a major destination for global sporting events, largely thanks to Saudi Arabia’s push to attract the world’s best athletes – whether in boxing, football, or motorsport.
The UAE, in particular, is making a push to diversify its economy, perhaps a strategic move given its dependence on oil exports and the fragility of that dependence, as evidenced by ongoing geopolitical conflict.
Tourism is one of its largest contributors to its Treasury, and it only makes sense to capitalise on that further through a legal gambling proposition.
Since the GCGRA’s founding in 2023, the UAE has managed to create stable foundations for a nationwide gambling infrastructure not only for iGaming, but also for land-based casinos – with the most prominent example of the latter being the multi-million Wynn Resorts casino in Raj Al Khaimah currently under construction.
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