UAE Welcomes Play971 as Its First Online Gaming Brand
Summary
The United Arab Emirates has licensed its first fully legal iGaming operator, Play971, which is operating under a General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) licence. The brand, owned by Momentum (the parent of The Game lottery), is currently in a soft launch with a full roll-out expected next year. Play971’s site includes an extensive Q&A confirming its regulated status and points to a wider shift in the UAE’s approach to real‑money gaming following earlier moves such as the national lottery and the approval of a single online gaming licence per emirate.
Key Points
- Play971 is the UAE’s first licensed online iGaming operator, authorised by the GCGRA.
- The brand is part of Momentum, the group behind The Game lottery in the UAE.
- Play971 is in a soft launch phase; a full launch is planned for next year.
- The launch follows regulatory changes allowing one online gaming licence per emirate, signalling a liberalisation of the market.
- The move builds on the success of the UAE Lottery and broader entertainment investments (eg. Wynn Resorts) aimed at expanding the local gaming sector.
Context and Relevance
This is a watershed moment for the Gulf region: the UAE has historically maintained strict limits on real‑money gaming, so the licencing of Play971 marks a notable policy and market shift. Operators, suppliers and investors tracking regulatory openings in the Middle East will see this as a cue that new commercial opportunities — and regulatory frameworks — are emerging. The development ties into a broader trend of regulated, state‑backed gaming products (like national lotteries) being used as a stepping stone to a controlled iGaming market.
Why should I read this?
Because this is the one-line change everyone in the gaming world will be talking about. The UAE licensing Play971 is not just another operator launch — it’s a sign the region is opening up for regulated iGaming. If you work in igaming, payments, compliance or market expansion, you’ll want to know what this means for licensing, partnerships and player access in the Middle East.
Source
Source: https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/uae-welcomes-play971-as-its-first-online-gaming-brand/