Commercial Gaming in the UAE

Disciplined entry into a regulated commercial gaming sector

The UAE has established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) as the national regulator for commercial gaming — a measured, principles-based framework consistent with UAE values and a high standard of probity and integrity.

We help operators, platform providers, and ancillary service providers prepare for and navigate this framework — from initial market assessment through licensing, premises approval, ongoing compliance, and dispute resolution where needed.

Licensing strategy

We work with clients on the upstream questions before any application is filed: corporate structure, ownership disclosure, financial fitness, integrity standards, and the strategic narrative that the regulator will assess.

Probity & integrity

Commercial gaming licensing places significant weight on the integrity of beneficial owners and key persons. We coordinate the probity workstream with you — including investigative due diligence — well in advance of formal application.

Compliance framework

Pre-launch and ongoing compliance: AML/CFT, responsible gaming, age verification, problem-gaming exclusion, complaints handling, surveillance, internal controls, and regulator reporting cadence.

Premises & technical

Where applicable, we coordinate premises approval, technical standards conformity, and the engagement with the regulator's test labs and inspection regime.

Regulatory engagement

Strategic and tactical engagement with the GCGRA — pre-application discussions, formal submissions, supplemental responses, post-licence variations, and incident handling.