🇦🇪 AE
Gambling licensing in United Arab Emirates
The GCGRA, set up by federal decree in September 2023 and based in Abu Dhabi, is the sole authority licensing commercial gaming across all seven emirates. Gaming without a GCGRA licence is illegal, and players using unlicensed operators, online or in person, can also be penalised. The first licence went to The Game LLC for the UAE Lottery in July 2024. The GCGRA has since licensed one land-based resort (Wynn Al Marjan), one internet gaming and sports wagering operator (Play971, whose football betting went live in June 2026), and over 20 suppliers. Since 1 June 2026 the new Civil Transactions Law no longer treats gambling contracts as void, leaving licensed gaming to the GCGRA rules; the penal code still punishes unlicensed gambling. Only the consumer-facing online licensees are listed here.
Information reviewed: 26 September 2026
Regulator and legal framework
- Primary framework
- Federal Decree establishing the GCGRA (September 2023)
- Minimum age
- 18
Licence categories
- Gaming operator: internet gaming
- Gaming operator: sports wagering
- Gaming operator: land-based gaming facility
- Gaming operator: lottery and lottery retailers
- Gaming-related vendor
- Key persons (corporate and individual) and gaming employees
Key licensee requirements
- Contact the GCGRA licensing team and receive an Invitation to Apply before applying via the Licensing Portal
- Meet the GCGRA Licensing Guide's integrity, accountability and responsible gaming standards
- License key persons and gaming employees individually
- Provide consumers with tools to monitor and manage their gaming activity
Legislation and standards
Federal Decree of September 2023
Established the GCGRA as the federal regulator of commercial gaming.
GCGRA Licensing Guide
Sets out licence categories, application requirements and assessment criteria.
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 (Civil Transactions Law)
In force 1 June 2026. Replaces the 1985 civil code and drops its gambling articles (1012 to 1021), which made gambling agreements void and let losers reclaim stakes.
Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law)
Articles 460 and 461 still apply outside the GCGRA-licensed market: up to two years in prison or a fine of up to AED 50,000 for gambling.
Advertising
Only GCGRA-licensed operators may advertise lotteries, internet gaming and sports wagering; Google Ads allowed certified GCGRA licensees from March 2026.