Your Guide to the New Gambling Regulations & Casino Games

After a long wait, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) of the UAE has finally released its gambling and casino regulations to the public, making it the first Gulf state to allow legalised gambling. 

These regulations are set to apply to any game of chance, or a combination of chance and skill, where an amount of money, in cash or cash equivalents, is monetarily wagered, including internet gaming and sports wagering. So, we can already expect a number of games to start popping up across the country, including blackjack, baccarat, and roulette on the gambling front, and bingo, casino games, sports games and fantasy games in the world of online gaming. 

All businesses with gaming licences will be audited by the GCGRA every two years, given that they operate within the issued regulations, which include player education, responsible marketing, employee training, and evaluation plans to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives. The businesses must also have a qualifying domestic entity (QDE) in the UAE and appoint a key person for the implementation of the regulations. 

GCGRA made it official by approving the first licence for a lottery to The Game LLC, which is currently operating under the name ‘UAE Lottery’. Wynn Al Marjan Island, a resort set to open in 2027, will be next in line, as well as currently under-construction resorts Atlantis Dubai and MGM Dubai. 

Besides licensing, certain rules apply to players as well. They must ensure that they are playing with a licensed operator, ensure they have all the necessary information to play, including the odds of winning and risks, set limits for amount of time and money invested, utilise the support provided by the game operator and GCGRA, and consider self-exclusion programs if they need a break. 

Additionally, exclusion programs, which are referred to as ‘cooling off period’ by GCGRA, will be implemented to provide players with the ability to exclude themselves from online gaming facilities for specified periods of time, which must not be less than 72 hours, by submitting a request to the operator.