Watch: Is the UAE setting the GCC benchmark for commercial gaming regulation?
SiGMA Euro‑Med hosted a focused panel titled “Charting New Territory: Inside the UAE’s Expanding Gaming Regulatory Landscape.” It was supported by WH Partners and moderated by Dr Joseph F Borg, Chairperson of the Virtual Assets Business Section at The Malta Chamber and Partner at WH Partners. Panellists included Kate McCormick, CEO of WH Partners UAE, and Oliver De Bono, CEO of Quantum Gaming. They unpacked how federal licensing and enforcement are reshaping market entry and compliance in the United Arab Emirates. They also explored why operators and vendors are paying attention now in Malta this September at MMH, Marsa.
Where is the UAE now?
“What we know up to today is that the GCGRA regulates at the federal level across the whole of the UAE,” said McCormick. She noted that approximately 16 licences have been issued so far, including around 14 B2B vendor approvals, the UAE Lottery operated by The Game LLC, and the first land‑based project in Ras Al Khaimah for Wynn. McCormick emphasised that enforcement is active, with cease-and-desist letters issued against illegal activity. She set expectations for “a premium, tightly regulated, credible” environment, with online not yet open but widely expected to follow once foundations mature.
Why are operators watching?
De Bono framed the commercial context succinctly, describing the UAE as a liquid and investment‑centric hub that operators and B2B providers are “eager” to enter. Saturated and overregulated markets elsewhere are prompting diversification. He added that early land‑based steps are a necessary precursor to remote licences. Interest is anchored in scale, financial infrastructure and a measured rollout that avoids rapid normalisation in more conservative emirates. Borg emphasised the advisory depth now available to entrants, as WH Partners’ UAE desk supports licensing and compliance paths in financial services and gaming across the region.
Pathways and pitfalls
Where to set up matters. Free zone options are available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. RAK entities are courting vendors with banking and visa support, aiming for a six to eight week time to market for qualifying businesses, said McCormick. Marketing will be strict, she cautioned, urging careful positioning that avoids Arabic and local targeting. Align with the term “commercial gaming,” and partner with experienced advisors to navigate day-by-day regulatory change. De Bono pointed to data realities in Dubai, where a high share of non‑nationals changes addressable audiences. He emphasised the importance of clear advertising rules and phased access that protects public norms while fostering a sustainable market.
Benchmark for the GCC?
Asked whether the UAE could set the regional standard, De Bono said, “One hundred per cent,” arguing that tourism pillars, airport throughput and financial infrastructure are already spilling over. Neighbouring states are evaluating openings of their own. McCormick concurred, citing a low corporate tax rate of 9 per cent, strong connectivity, and technology readiness. She again advised operators to proceed with caution as the framework continues to evolve. Borg closed by noting that visible federal oversight and the first operator and lottery licences have moved the conversation from rumour to reality. The sequencing signals online may follow after a stable land‑based rollout.
The UAE is moving from intent to implementation. Federal supervision, approximately 16 licences in place, and strict conduct rules are shaping a premium market that rewards early, compliant preparation. Online remains a near‑term horizon rather than a present fact. With vendors and advisors already on the ground, the next phase will test how free zone routes, banking readiness, and marketing controls coalesce into a scalable model that others in the GCC may take as a reference, setting a practical baseline for measured growth and informed participation over the coming months.
Meet the regulatory voices shaping this agenda at SiGMA Central Europe, 3 to 6 November, to track policy updates, speak with advisors, and align market entry plans to the UAE’s maturing framework. Secure passes and schedule meetings early to get practical guidance on licensing strategy, marketing compliance, and B2B setup across key free zones.
