Mastering Licensing in the UAE

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The U.S. online gaming industry hit a milestone in 2018 when the Supreme Court’s PAPSA ruling opened the doors for states to regulate sports betting. This began a new era for sportsbooks and casinos, and they’ve been thriving ever since. Now, in 2025, the United Arab Emirates could be experiencing a similar revolution.

In October 2024, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) issued the first-ever casino license to none other than Wynn Resorts. Wynn’s entry suggests that many major U.S. gaming brands have their eyes set on the UAE, wanting to join this fresh market with high potential. But there’s a catch. To have a foot in this new environment, operators have to understand and meet GCGRA’s strict licensing standards, since operating without a license is illegal.

Here’s an outline roadmap to help operators familiarize themselves with UAE’s gaming regulations to avoid any early pitfalls:

Step 1: Stating Your Interest

The first step for prospective operators is to submit an Intake Form on the GCGRA’s website. This is straightforward but critical, as it involves detailing key business information and selecting the correct license type. For clarity, the GCGRA specifies seven different types of licenses, including:

  • Gaming Facility Operator
  • Lottery Retailer
  • Internet Gaming Operator
  • Sports Wagering Operator
  • Gaming Related Vendor
  • Key Person (Corporate, Individual)

Once the Intake Form is submitted, the GCGRA will review it to ensure the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria. Only after receiving the green light can the operator proceed to the full application stage.

Step 2: Submitting an Application 

If an operator passes the initial assessment, the GCGRA will send them an invitation to the official licensing portal. This is where the real work begins. Operators must provide comprehensive documentation on business, financial, and corporate structure (including an application fee) before submitting.

Step 3: Assessment Process 

Once an application has been submitted, the GCGRA will take a close look to confirm whether the operator merits an In-Principle Approval. Think of this as the first big thumbs-up in the process. If everything checks out, the operator will pay a further In-Principle Approval fee—10 percent of the overall license fee.

However, also at this step, the GCGRA will need to conduct a more in-depth review of the overall application. This stage can take a few months, depending upon the license and scale of operations. But regardless of the duration, the regulatory body will check these important factors:

  • Identity and ownership
  • Finances
  • Integrity
  • Competence
  • Criminality
  • Quality of proposed operation

Reassuringly, the GCGRA intends to be very thorough at this stage. The regulatory body is rightly resolved to ensure that only high-standard operators can enter the UAE’s new commercial gaming market and so these businesses must be open to in-depth scrutiny.

Step 4: Awarding

Any operator cleared by the GCGRA’s investigation is then only a few steps away from complete regulatory approval in the UAE. But first, GCGRA will grant an Intent to Issue license, and can take months or years before they can receive a Certificate of Operation. Let’s take Wynn Resorts as an example. Right now, the brand would have an Intent to Issue license from GCGRA, but they’re aiming for a full launch by the first quarter of 2027. If at this point, Wynn ticks all the boxes, GCGRA will issue a final Certificate of Operation allowing the operator to fully launch.

Step 5: Supervision and Monitoring 

The regulator appears to adopt a hands-on approach to ensuring continued compliance after issuing licenses, with regular reviews and supervisory scrutiny to ensure licensees continue to meet the regulatory requirements. In my view, this is to be applauded as necessary to ensure that all parties have ongoing confidence in the integrity of players in this new market.

As the regulatory managing director for Responsible Gaming MENA (Middle East and North Africa), I am committed to help build a compliant and safer gaming environment. In working with operators, we will help them not only meet GCGRA requirements but also grow sustainably.

Drawing the Curtains

The UAE’s gamisng industry may still be in its formative stage, but I am optimistic that it won’t stay this way for very long. With a U.S. giant like Wynn Resorts already making moves, it’s only a matter of time before more operators join the fold and seek licenses to operate.

At Responsible Gaming MENA, we will be forging proactive partnerships with many new market entrants to help them stay closely aligned with the regulator and benefit responsibly from an important growing market in the UAE.