Regulator will take its time with UAE resort licensing

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) remains committed to the operators currently licensed, emphasizing a cautious and deliberate approach to the expansion of gaming in the UAE, according to chairman Jim Murren.

During his address at the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai on November 20, Murren shared insights on the state of the gambling market in the UAE, a topic of interest given his dual role as CEO of Ritz Carlton Yachts and chairman of the GCGRA.

Currently, the GCGRA has granted licenses to The Game for operating the UAE Lottery and awarded Wynn Resorts a license to develop the region’s first integrated resort in Ras Al-Khaimah. In a move that further illustrates the regulatory body’s commitment to fostering a robust gaming environment, the GCGRA recently issued a third supplier license to the local payments provider, PayBy.

Is MGM Next? A Cautious Outlook

As the UAE’s gaming landscape evolves, several operators are eager to enter the integrated resort sector. At a prior Skift event, MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle expressed optimism about acquiring a license to construct a new resort in Abu Dhabi.

However, when asked by Skift’s senior hospitality editor Sean O’Neill if the licensing process would quicken in 2025, Murren made it clear that there would be no rush in expanding the regulatory framework.

“Bill used to work for me, so I’ll have to talk to Bill about that,” Murren quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. He further emphasized that the GCGRA was focused on creating a “state-of-the-art” regulatory framework. “The government is intent on establishing a robust, highly compliant, and rigorous oversight system to ensure world-class operations in the market. Our progress will not be expedited,” he stated, underlining his commitment to a gradual rollout of future licenses.

A Five to Ten-Year Horizon for Integrated Resorts

The Wynn Al-Marjan Island resort is slated to welcome guests in the first quarter of 2027. Murren anticipates that additional licenses will be issued over the next five to ten years, granting Wynn a significant lead in the market.

“We’re very excited about the potential of Ras Al-Khaimah and the strong vision shown by its leadership in developing this extraordinary resor,” he remarked, highlighting the anticipated economic impact on the Emirate and the broader region. Murren noted his respect for Wynn Resorts, declaring, “I know they are a quality operator. I’ve competed against them for 25 years.”

The UAE’s Aspirations in Sports and Entertainment

Jim Murren is confident that the UAE is positioning itself to challenge Las Vegas as the leading global hub for sports and entertainment. Reflecting on his time with MGM, he noted, “When I joined, Las Vegas was a sports desert, but now we can’t get rid of professional sports leagues.”

During his tenure, Murren played a pivotal role in establishing Las Vegas as a premier sports city, overseeing the construction of the T-Mobile Arena and facilitating the arrivals of teams like the NHL’s Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders. He anticipates that the Oakland A’s will also relocate to a stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, and that an NBA team could follow within the next three to four years.

Murren expressed optimism that the UAE is on a similar trajectory for growth. “The vision for infrastructure development here includes not only state-of-the-art roads and airports but also world-class sports and entertainment facilities,” he noted. He believes that the integration of these elements will catalyze substantial economic advancement in the UAE.

GCGRA Licenses Its First Payments Provider

While the GCGRA has issued operating licenses to The Game and Wynn Resorts, it has also granted its first payment provider license to PayBy, a local payment solutions company. Established in 2005 and acquired by Dubai-based Astra Tech in 2022, PayBy is now recognized as a gaming-related vendor in the UAE market.

Astra Tech recently completed a $500 million funding round led by UAE technology leader G42, showcasing a strong backing for growth in the technology and gaming sectors. In addition to PayBy, the GCGRA licensed SmartPlay International and Aristocrat, both of which secured gaming vendor licenses in late October. SmartPlay is known for powering major lottery operators such as PowerBall and the UK National Lottery, and it is expected to provide the technological framework for the upcoming UAE Lottery.

According to a recent press release from SmartPlay, The Game will deliver a diverse assortment of lottery games tailored to cater to different player preferences and financial capabilities, highlighting the GCGRA’s commitment to creating a dynamic gaming ecosystem in the UAE.