Two additional permits granted in UAE
Gambling and lottery in the UAE is strictly overseen by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The market is limited in licensed operators, but new players are joining the scene.
Novomatic, with Austrian roots, has stepped into the fray, producing slot machines, terminals, and various gambling products. They aim to be a reliable partner for licensed operators in the UAE. Meanwhile, EQL Games, based in Kentucky, specializes in lottery solutions and has just been granted a license to offer their services in the region.
The CEO of EQL Games, Brad Cummings, expressed his excitement about this development, saying, "Securing this license is a significant step for EQL Games as we continue our mission to bring innovative, safe, and responsible lottery solutions to markets around the world."
In the past, entities like Smartplay International, Aristocrat Technologies, PayBy, and Xpoint Technology were given the green light to operate in the UAE. Wynn Resorts, which is constructing a complex in Ras Al Khaimah, was issued the only casino gaming license for the integrated resort. The Game company, on the other hand, already conducts lottery drawings in the country.
Interestingly, The Game LLC operates the UAE's sole legal lottery program, The UAE Lottery. They have a GCGRA license and partner with Xpoint for geolocation services to enforce exclusion zones. EQL Games has been awarded a GCGRA vendor license to provide gaming products for regulated platforms, focusing on lottery solutions. Xpoint was also licensed to provide geolocation compliance services for The UAE Lottery. BMM Testlabs was authorized to test and certify gaming products for the UAE Lottery and broader gaming programs.
As for the market context, Wynn Resorts is developing a $5.1 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island, although its operational license status remains unclear in the provided sources. Novomatic received a vendor license, but the specific activities are yet to be specified.
Overall, the UAE's regulated gaming market primarily revolves around The Game LLC's lottery operations, with vendor services expanding through recent GCGRA approvals. The future of the market looks promising as more players join and services expand.
- Novomatic, with its roots in Austria, has entered the UAE market, supplying slot machines, terminals, and various gambling products to licensed operators.
- EQL Games, based in Kentucky, specializes in lottery solutions and has recently been granted a license to offer their services in the UAE.
- Brad Cummings, the CEO of EQL Games, expressed his excitement about this development, stating that securing the license is a significant step for EQL Games as they continue their mission to bring innovative, safe, and responsible lottery solutions to markets worldwide.
- In the past, entities like Smartplay International, Aristocrat Technologies, PayBy, and Xpoint Technology were given the green light to operate in the UAE.
- Wynn Resorts, constructing a complex in Ras Al Khaimah, was issued the only casino gaming license for the integrated resort in the UAE.
- The Game company, which operates the UAE's sole legal lottery program, The UAE Lottery, has a GCGRA license and partners with Xpoint for geolocation services to enforce exclusion zones.
- EQL Games has been awarded a GCGRA vendor license to provide gaming products for regulated platforms, focusing on lottery solutions.
- As the market expands, responsible gambling trends and the influence of casino personalities, such as those in Las Vegas, may impact the casino-and-gambling culture in the UAE, with sports betting potentially emerging as another popular vertical.
