UAE’s Gaming Regulator Launches Website and First Lottery License

The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has officially launched its website and issued the country’s first lottery license, signaling a strong commitment to gaming regulation, according to CBRE Capital Advisors, Inc.

These steps are seen as crucial for legitimizing the gaming market and addressing previous doubts about regulatory progress. Wynn Resorts Ltd., which operates in Macau and is developing the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, has invested in anticipation of a regulated gaming environment. CBRE projects the resort could generate $1.4 billion in annual gross gaming revenue.

Despite ongoing skepticism, CBRE suggests that these regulatory advancements could also aid Wynn’s debt financing for the project.

Jim Murren, former chairman of MGM Resorts, is the GCGRA’s inaugural chairman, with Mark Lipparelli, former chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, on the board. The GCGRA’s website details commercial gaming definitions, license types, and procedures, covering slots, table games, lottery, online gaming, and sports betting.

The licensing procedures mention land-based gaming facilities, supporting the concept of integrated resorts in the UAE. While specific details such as tax rates are not yet available, the renewable license model could encourage more investment and long-term commitment, akin to Nevada’s approach, rather than Macau or Singapore’s concession models.

The GCGRA has also awarded the UAE’s first lottery license to The Game LLC, which will operate under the name “UAE Lottery.”

Source: GGRAsia