Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have held a meeting to review the national anti-money laundering (AML) strategy as the country strengthens its position as a regional hub for the gaming industry in the Middle East.
The meeting was chaired by the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC) and brought together more than 50 senior representatives from federal and local government bodies. They discussed the implementation of the UAE’s National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (AML/CFT/CPF) for 2024–2027, as well as outlined plans for the next three-year cycle.
Key topics on the agenda included the development of the gaming and casino industry.
At the current stage of the strategy’s implementation, the UAE has significantly accelerated efforts to unlock the economic potential of the gaming sector. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has been granted a mandate to oversee and regulate the country’s gaming industry. Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts, Aristocrat, and Novomatic have obtained licenses to operate or supply products to the UAE market.
The next phase of the strategy (2027–2030) will coincide with the planned opening of the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in March 2027. In this context, lawmakers and regulators will need to develop measures to mitigate money laundering risks associated with land-based casinos and the broader gaming industry.
“This retreat was not only a chance to review our achievements, but also to set clear priorities for the next strategic cycle. By doing so, we ensure continuity, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence that will carry the UAE well beyond 2027,” stated Mohamed AlKatheeri, Director of the National Coordination and Follow-Up Department.
Last year, the UAE was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, after being placed on there in March 2022 due to the identification of strategic deficiencies in the country’s systems to counter criminal conduct related to AML and the financing of terrorism.
The National Strategy for AML/CFT/CPF was adopted by the UAE Cabinet in September 2024 and sets out the country’s plan to align with FATF’s standards.
These are structured around 11 national goals and four strategic pillars: strengthening supervision and enforcement, enhancing domestic coordination, deepening international cooperation, and embedding innovation and technology.
According to the Emirates News Agency-WAM, participants have committed to accelerating the National Action Plan and mapped out the pillars of the UAE’s 2027-2030 AML strategy.
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