The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) became the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first gaming regulatory body in September 2023. Since then, the Authority has approved an official lottery license and a provider license for Wynn Resorts.
Now, the GCGRA has approved its first gaming vendor license. Aristocrat Gaming has received the first regulatory gaming agency license and is now authorized to provide slot games to licensed providers in the UAE.
Additionally, the company is authorized to offer online gaming services, opening the door for an eventual move to regulated online casino gambling in the UAE.
Key Highlights
- Aristocrat has received a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the GCGRA.
- Aristocrat is authorized to provide land-based and online gaming services.
- Wynn Resorts’ UAE casino construction is underway and expected to be completed in early 2027.
Aristocrat Receives First UAE Vendor License
On October 29, Aristocrat announced via press release that it is the first international casino games provider to receive a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the GCGRA.
The license grants Aristocrat the ability to provide land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and iGaming products and services to operators licensed by the GCGRA.
In the release, Hector Fernandez, CEO of Gaming for Aristocrat, stated, “We are honored to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market. At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house wherever and whenever the world plays. We look forward to doing so by providing premium content for players in the UAE while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay.”
GCGRA Continues Process of Building Gambling Industry
Aristocrat’s license approval is the third overall license approved by the GCGRA. In July, the first lottery license was awarded to The Game LLC.
The Game touts itself as an innovative entertainment company looking to redefine entertainment in the UAE. It is a subsidiary of UAE-based Momentum and will likely be offering lottery games under the UAE Lottery brand.
On October 4, Wynn Resorts announced that it was granted the first commercial casino license from the GCGRA. The casino company will develop a luxury resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.
Wynn projected gross gaming revenue from the casino to be between $1bn and $1.67 bn.
Construction began in early 2023 and is expected to be completed by early 2027. It will include a 1,542-room hotel and 22 private villa estates. There will also be 22 lounges, bars, and dining experiences, and a theatre.
The resort will also include a 5-star spa, a 15,000-square-meter shopping esplanade, and a 7,500-square-meter events and meeting center.
In an investor presentation on October 8, Wynn projected gross gaming revenue from the casino to be between $1 billion and $1.67 billion.
Wynn is not the only casino on the horizon. MGM Resorts International has also shown an interest in acquiring a UAE license, but it is far behind Wynn’s progress.
The good news for MGM is that it has a licensed provider already in the wings, as Aristocrat already has a previous working relationship with the company.
Aristocrat Approval Opens Path For Regulated Online Gambling?
Online gambling is not presently legal in the UAE, but Aristocrat’s license could indicate an upcoming change. The company is licensed to provide online gaming and technology services to licensed providers, potentially opening the door for regulated online gambling in the UAE.
Aristocrat Interactive offers a wide variety of iGaming services, including white-label online casino and sportsbook services and iLottery capabilities. If online lottery services are authorized, we could see Aristocrat partner with The Game LLC for the UAE Lottery.
While the UAE’s current focus is to build a land-based casino industry, it is clearly looking forward to the future with iGaming.
Online gambling is a natural companion to land-based gaming, and with the UAE looking to become a world leader in entertainment, it is a natural next step for its gaming industry.
Sources
https://www.casino.org/news/aristocrat-wins-uaes-first-gaming-vendor-permit/
https://www.casino.org/news/wynn-resorts-lands-uaes-first-casino-license/
https://www.casino.org/news/uae-approves-first-lottery-could-set-stage-for-wynn-casino/
https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/property-development/wynn-uae-casino-revenue/
https://www.aristocrat.com/aristocrat-interactive/
https://gamblingindustrynews.com/news/regulation/uae-aristocrat-gambling-license/
