UAE opens door to regulated sports betting with first licensed online platform / Image – File
The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step in developing its regulated gaming industry by licensing its first online sports wagering and internet gaming platform, marking a major milestone in a sector that has rapidly evolved since the creation of the country’s gaming regulator.The platform, known as Play971, has been approved by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for overseeing and regulating all commercial gaming activities across the country. The launch represents the first time a fully licensed online sports wagering and iGaming operator has been authorised to operate within the UAE’s new regulatory framework.
UAE’s new gaming phase
The GCGRA was established in September 2023 to create and oversee a national framework for commercial gaming, including lotteries, internet gaming, sports wagering and land-based integrated gaming resorts. Since then, the regulator has gradually built a licensing system designed to ensure consumer protection, responsible gaming and regulatory oversight.Play971 is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company officially listed by the regulator under both the “Internet Gaming” and “Sports Wagering” licence categories. The company is headquartered at Yas Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi’s Twofour54 district. Industry observers view the approval as one of the clearest indications yet that the UAE is moving forward with a tightly controlled commercial gaming ecosystem under federal supervision.
What games and betting options are available?
According to the GCGRA, internet gaming includes online activities conducted through websites and mobile applications involving chance, skill or a combination of both. Examples cited by the regulator include bingo, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slots, fantasy sports, esports competitions, peer-to-peer games and skill-based gaming products.The sports wagering category allows licensed betting on sporting events and athlete performances. The regulator says sports betting may cover football, cricket, basketball, tennis, horse racing and other recognised sports. The launch therefore introduces both sportsbook services and casino-style online gaming products under a regulated environment for eligible users in the UAE.
Rules for UAE residents
The platform operates under several restrictions set out in its terms and conditions.Users must be at least 21 years old and physically present within the UAE to create an account, deposit funds or participate in games. The platform also prohibits the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and other methods used to conceal a user’s location or identity. According to the published rules, the platform may withhold winnings if users breach these requirements.Play971 also states that access may be restricted in certain “sensitive geographic areas” identified by the regulator. The company says it has implemented responsible gaming tools, player protection measures, safeguards against underage participation and access to support services designed to promote responsible play.The GCGRA has repeatedly stressed that only licensed operators may legally conduct commercial gaming activities in the UAE and that participation in unauthorised gaming activities may result in penalties.
UAE’s broader gaming strategy
The approval of Play971 comes amid a broader expansion of the UAE’s regulated gaming sector.According to the GCGRA, the licence is among a growing number of approvals issued since the regulator’s establishment. Earlier licences included The Game LLC, operator of the UAE Lottery, and the licence granted to Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, which is developing the region’s first integrated gaming resort. Numerous gaming-related technology and service providers have also received regulatory approval. Analysts see the launch of the country’s first licensed online wagering platform as another milestone in the UAE’s carefully managed approach to commercial gaming. Rather than opening the market broadly, regulators have focused on a phased rollout built around strict licensing, oversight and responsible gaming requirements.For the UAE, the arrival of Play971 is more than the launch of a new website. It signals the continued development of an entirely new regulated industry that, only a few years ago, did not formally exist within the country’s federal framework. Go to Source
