UAE's first national lottery is here. Are casinos next?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to launch its first authorized lottery operation. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the UAE, awarded a license to The Game LLC, a commercial gaming operator specializing in game development, lottery operations, and gaming-related content.

The GCGRA’s first licensee will offer a diverse range of lottery games and other games designed to cater to players’ variety of interests and financial preferences, WAM reported on Monday.

As per their website, the body will regulate lotteries, internet gaming, sports wagering and land-based gaming facilities. Regulated games at those facilities would include slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and more, indicating that casinos are coming to the UAE sooner rather than later.

Wyn Al Marwan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is expected to be the first resort in the UAE to obtain a gaming license and is slated to open its doors to the public in 2027. The mega project will include an onsite shopping mall, spa, over 10 restaurants, a gaming area and various other entertainment facilities. Reportedly, the casino will be even bigger than Wyn's flagship venue in Las Vegas.

Kevin Mullally, CEO of the GCGRA, shared that the authority is committed to bringing global best practices in consumer protection and regulatory oversight to the UAE. He said that their regulatory framework will also provide consumers with a comprehensive set of tools to monitor and manage their gaming activity.

"Additionally, we are leveraging new technologies to foster the creation of safe, entertaining games and drive consumer-focused innovation," he said.

The news signals a significant setback for long-standing gaming operators, who were already grappling with an industry-wide pause enforced by the GCGRA since January 1, 2024. Emirates Draw and Mahzooz had both entered bids to become the national lottery.

In a statement issued by Mahzooz via its managing operator, EWINGS, they shared: "While this delayed decision is indeed disappointing, especially that we kept our workforce at full capacity for the past 7 months in anticipation of a positive decision, we respect the selection process and the government’s commitment to setting standards within the industry."

They added that they are now planning "exciting new ventures" for their customers.