UAE gambling landscape seen evolving

Arabian Post Staff

With the GCGRA continuing to license gaming vendors, the UAE is expected to introduce new gaming products, including lotteries, prize draws, and integrated gaming systems for both online and land-based casinos.

Although Internet and Sports Wagering licenses have yet to be approved, industry experts predict that 2025 could bring regulatory changes, with potential breaking news on online gaming licenses. Meanwhile, the focus remains on physical casinos and lottery expansions, shaping the UAE’s evolving gambling landscape.

Search interest in GCGRA dropped by approximately 58.5% over the year, but there’s a clear correlation—the focus shifted to the UAE Lottery when The Game LLC secured the first gaming license in the UAE.

With an astounding increase of roughly 3,100%, the UAE Lottery saw an explosive surge in searches, making it the biggest winner of 2024.

With ongoing licensing processes and construction projects, interest in the topic remained moderate. At the beginning of January, people were more curious about physical casinos, such as Wynn Ras Al Khaimah and the establishment of MGM in Dubai.

Overall, public interest in these projects was sustained, but in October, searches spiked by 17% compared to September when Wynn Resorts received its first commercial gaming operator’s license.

Online gambling saw a growth of approximately 61%, indicating a significant shift toward digital gaming platforms. Even though it’s not yet regulated, interest in the topic continues to rise.

Additionally, searches for online casino platforms increased steadily by around 28%, suggesting consistent and growing interest in digital casino experiences. With GCGRA licensing online providers, new developments in this space are expected in 2025.

Also published on Medium.

Notice an issue?