Yolo Group approved as vendor in UAE’s growing gaming sector
Two subsidiaries of Yolo Group, Hub88 Holdings and Live Online Gaming Services (which includes Live88 and Onetouch.io), have received gaming-related vendor licences from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The new licences permit both companies to operate in the UAE’s emerging regulated gaming market, providing business-to-business (B2B) gaming content and services.
The approval marks another milestone for Yolo Group’s global expansion strategy, as the company moves towards operating exclusively in licensed and regulated environments. Product development and testing for Yolo’s gaming content will continue to be based in Estonia before scaling further across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Live88 becomes UAE’s first licensed online live casino studio
Among Yolo Group’s subsidiaries, Live88 stands out as the first online live casino studio to be licensed in the UAE. This development highlights the growing openness of the country’s regulators to new forms of digital gaming and signals a step forward in diversifying entertainment options beyond traditional land-based gaming.
The UAE is currently the only regulated jurisdiction in the GCC, and Yolo Group sees it as a strategic hub for its future regional expansion.
“A statement of intent,”: Yolo Group Founder
Commenting on the achievement, Yolo Group Founder Tim Heath said, “Obtaining these licences in the UAE is more than a regulatory achievement; it is a statement of intent. Yolo Group is committed to building the future of gaming on trust, transparency, and world-class innovation. The UAE is setting the stage for what modern, regulated gaming should look like, and we are proud to be part of that journey.”
Heath’s remarks underline Yolo Group’s vision of combining technological innovation with responsible and transparent operations as the foundation for its continued growth in global regulated markets.
UAE’s strengthening regulatory landscape
The GCGRA, an independent federal authority in the UAE, was set up to regulate and license all commercial gaming activities across the country. It began issuing vendor licences in October 2024 as part of its effort to build a transparent, well-regulated, and globally respected gaming framework.
GCGRA’s first full gaming licence was awarded in July 2024 to The Game LLC, which launched The UAE Lottery later that year. In October 2024, Wynn Resorts received its gaming licence for its $2 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah, currently under construction and expected to open in 2027.
Since then, several major international suppliers have obtained vendor licences, including Aristocrat, Novomatic, International Game Technology (IGT), Light & Wonder, Scientific Games, Pollard Banknote, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, Fennica Gaming, Random State, and Konami Gaming. Yolo Group has now joined this established group of certified vendors, helping to the continued growth of the UAE’s regulated gaming market.
Confidence in the UAE’s regulatory model
With more companies obtaining licences, trust in the UAE’s gaming regulatory framework continues to strengthen. In an earlier interview with SiGMA World, Bishop Woosley, Director of Lottery Operations at The Game LLC, the first licensed operator in the country, noted the progress made by the GCGRA.
“The regulatory landscape has evolved since The Game received the first licence in 2024. What we’ve seen is continued support by the GCGRA to establish and build a robust, transparent, and globally benchmarked framework, one that supports innovation while prioritising player protection and operational integrity.”
He added that the UAE’s approach “reflects growing confidence in its ability to manage the gaming sector responsibly.”
Innovating through technology and crypto integration
Beyond gaming content, Yolo Group continues to use technology to shape the future of entertainment. The company has already introduced MiCA-compliant cryptocurrency payments at its land-based casino, the Bombay Club, in Tallinn, Estonia.
In an effort to give players and partners a more cohesive and effective ecosystem, the firm is also developing a smooth one-wallet experience throughout its online and physical activities.
Milestone for the future of regulated gaming
Yolo Group’s entry into the UAE market represents both a business expansion and a step forward in the country’s regulated gaming system. With Hub88, Live88, and Onetouch.io now licensed, the group is set to deliver iGaming content while contributing to the development of one of the world’s newest regulated gaming markets.
As the UAE establishes itself as a benchmark for modern gaming regulation, Yolo Group’s participation strengthens the drive to create a transparent, secure, and innovative gaming market across the Middle East.
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