UAE to reportedly offer one online gaming licence per emirate; participation subject to emirate approval
Summary
The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) reportedly plans to allow one B2C online gaming licence per emirate, mirroring the single-licence approach used for land-based casinos. Participation will depend on individual emirate approval and not all seven are expected to opt in; Vixio GamblingCompliance estimates two to three emirates may permit online operations. Recent B2B supplier licences — granted to companies such as Hub 88 Holdings Ltd and Sportradar AG — suggest operator licences may follow soon. GCGRA says it aims to lead in gaming technology innovation and will regulate flexibly to protect consumers while encouraging creative game designs. Quotes from CEO Kevin Mullally stress that technology should lead and regulators will adapt to novel concepts combining skill, chance and social interaction.
Key Points
- GCGRA plans a single B2C online gaming licence per emirate, reflecting the land-based model.
- Each emirate must opt in; only a subset (estimated two to three emirates) are likely to participate initially.
- B2B supplier licences have already been issued, indicating operator licensing is imminent.
- The regulator is prioritising innovation — encouraging games that blend skill, chance and social features while maintaining consumer protections.
- GCGRA CEO Kevin Mullally urged suppliers to design with technology first; the authority says it will adapt regulations to keep products safe and entertaining.
Content Summary
The GCGRA is reportedly preparing a licensing framework that permits one online operator per emirate. This approach mirrors the existing single-licence structure for land-based casinos — to date a single casino licence has been granted for Wynn Resorts’ integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah. The rollout will be decentralised: each emirate decides whether to participate, so national coverage is unlikely immediately.
Issuing B2B supplier licences to firms such as Hub 88 Holdings Ltd and Sportradar AG is seen as a precursor to issuing operator licences for online gaming and sports wagering. The regulator positions the UAE as aiming to lead in gaming technology, encouraging inventive game concepts that combine skill and chance and incorporate social engagement, while ensuring adaptive consumer protections and data safety measures.
At SBC Summit Lisbon 2025, GCGRA CEO Kevin Mullally emphasised that technology should lead — urging developers to present innovative products and assuring the regulator will find regulatory paths to accommodate safe, novel gaming experiences.
Context and Relevance
This move is significant for operators, suppliers and investors targeting the Middle East. A one-licence-per-emirate model restricts market access, meaning competition for any available licences will be intense and strategically important. The issuance of B2B licences indicates the regulator is sequencing market opening: enable suppliers first, then consider operators. The GCGRA’s stated focus on innovation and flexible regulation aligns with global trends where regulators balance consumer protection with fostering new tech-driven products. For suppliers, it signals an appetite for creative formats; for operators, it highlights the need to engage with individual emirate authorities and local strategies.
Why should I read this?
Short version — if you’re in the gambling, betting or gaming-supply worlds, this could reshape who gets in and how. The UAE is setting tight, emirate-level gates: only a handful will likely open. If you’re scouting new markets or building tech for regulated launchpads, this is one to read now so you’re not late to the party.