UAE regulator awards more vendor licences
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken significant strides in developing its gambling sector by granting new vendor licenses to EQL Games and Novomatic, while also enhancing its lottery operations through a partnership with Xpoint for geolocation services.
This week, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) of the UAE further advanced the local gaming landscape by issuing a commercial gaming vendor license to Novomatic, a leading gaming technology company based in Austria.
Established in 2023, the GCGRA has been instrumental in shaping the regulatory framework for both national lottery operations and commercial gaming initiatives within the UAE. In a notable move last June, the authority awarded The Game LLC the exclusive lottery license, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s gambling activities.
More recently, the GCGRA issued its first-ever commercial land-based gaming license to Wynn Resorts, signifying a robust commitment to developing a regulated gaming environment. Novomatic is now poised to offer land-based gaming services alongside a select group of licensed vendors in the region. In a statement made on April 10, Novomatic expressed its ambition to be a “reliable partner for licensed operators” in the UAE.
“Our latest gaming solutions are designed to deliver exceptional performance to land-based gaming facilities across the United Arab Emirates, ensuring that international players can enjoy their preferred games with the same high standards and quality they expect from other jurisdictions worldwide,” stated Stefan Kreen, a member of Novomatic’s executive board.
UAE Lottery Collaborates with Xpoint for Geolocation Services
In another strategic partnership, The Game LLC, the UAE’s official lottery operator, has selected North American geolocation services and security provider Xpoint to manage its geolocation compliance. This collaboration is critical as it ensures that players only access the UAE lottery product from designated areas within the country while adhering to strict regulatory measures.
Xpoint’s geolocation services will play a crucial role in blocking access to the lottery in specified exclusion zones mandated by UAE regulations. “This collaboration reinforces The Game’s commitment to providing a secure and compliant lottery experience nationwide,” Xpoint emphasized in a release on April 7. As part of this partnership, Xpoint has also received a vendor license from the UAE regulator.
“Engaging with Xpoint ensures that the UAE Lottery meets the country’s stringent data requirements,” commented Bishop Woosley, director of lottery operations at The Game LLC. “The supplier will utilize a private cloud to ensure all data remains on UAE soil, aligning with local regulations and guaranteeing the highest level of data security.”
Additionally, Kentucky-based EQL Games was awarded a vendor license by the GCGRA on April 10 for gambling-related services. EQL Games specializes in lottery-related products and will provide a suite of high-end gaming options across regulated gaming platforms in the UAE. “Securing this license marks a significant step for EQL Games as we continue our mission to bring innovative, secure, and responsible lottery solutions to markets worldwide,” stated CEO Brad Cummings in a recent release.
The UAE’s commitment to launching commercial land-based gambling is evidenced by Wynn Resorts completing the funding for its ambitious integrated resort in February. The total financing of $2.4 billion from a global syndicate of lenders underscores the significance of this development.
Initially announced in January 2020, the Wynn Al Marjan Island project is projected to cost approximately $5.10 billion. According to Wynn Resorts, substantial progress has been made, with 64% of the structural concrete of the main resort tower already completed as of February.
