Legal gaming in UAE: All you need to know about it

The first legal activities for the gaming sector in the UAE are already underway, with frameworks set out by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The UAE lottery and associated games are now available for those wishing to participate.

A survey conducted among UAE residents revealed that new casino operations in the country could attract a quarter (25 per cent) of the adult population. The poll was conducted by communications agency duke+mir through researcher YouGov, across a representative sample of more than 1,000 people.

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The survey found strong interest in various gaming activities among UAE residents. 46 per cent of adult participants said they would be interested in entering raffles and prize draws, while over a third (34 per cent) would consider playing the lottery.

Additionally, if legal and regulated, 23 per cent would consider betting on sports either at a venue or via online platforms. Nearly 1 in 5 adults (19 per cent) expressed interest in playing poker or other skill-based card games, and 15 per cent said they would consider playing bingo. The survey was part of duke+mir’s ‘Gaming in the UAE’ spotlight report.

“This is the biggest global opportunity for the gaming sector since Singapore launched casinos in 2010. When it opens in 2027, the Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the closest casino, as the crow flies, for more than 150 million people,” said Jonathan Ivan-Duke, Co-Founder and Partner at duke+mir.

“Broadly speaking, the survey reveals a similar level of interest in gaming among UAE residents to markets like the UK. The GCGRA has laid strong foundations for responsible betting. With those guidelines in place, we are now seeing a flock of international wagering companies, digital identity verification firms, and crypto specialist platforms looking to launch here and take advantage of this multi-billion-dollar opportunity,” Ivan-Duke added.

UAE Gaming Survey 2025

To gauge interest in betting, a survey was conducted with YouGov, targeting over 1,000 people in the UAE (1,051 to be precise). All demographics were represented, revealing what kinds of activities people might be most interested in.

Raffles and prize draws

Nearly half of respondents expressed interest in raffles and prize draws—something already familiar in the UAE, such as car, gold, and cash giveaways at Dubai airport. It’s a simple and easy-to-understand format.

Lottery

Similarly, more than a third are interested in playing lottery games. In comparison, surveys by the UK Gambling Commission show that 31 per cent of people regularly play the National Lottery, a figure closely aligned with UAE results.

Online betting and card games

Interest in online betting (23 per cent) and card games (19 per cent) is also notable. When lottery-only participation is excluded, around 17 per cent of British adults engage in online gambling, suggesting similar potential in the UAE.

Casino attendance

Casino attendance may vary significantly between the UAE and the UK. The Wynn Al Marjan Island, expected to open in Ras Al Khaimah in early 2027, will be the UAE’s first legal casino, likely to be followed by others. Only 3 per cent of Brits regularly play casino games, while 19 per cent of Americans visit a casino at least once a year. With 25 per cent of UAE residents showing interest, attendance may fall between the two.

In-person sports betting

A comparable 23 per cent of residents are interested in in-person sports betting. Logical venues include purpose-built casinos and the world-class horse racing facilities across the Emirates. Globally, horse racing is closely tied to betting, and events like the Dubai World Cup already draw significant international betting pools—over $40 million is wagered through the World Pool on this event annually.

With the right facilities, on-site betting could expand to golf, football, and tennis events.

Bingo

In the UK, women are twice as likely to play bingo than men (online or in person). This may also apply in the UAE, with 21 per cent of female residents showing interest in bingo wagering compared to 12 per cent of men.

Trends by age

Age-related trends are also clear. Those over 45 are nearly twice as likely to be interested in raffles and prize draws (62 per cent) than 18–24-year-olds (34 per cent). Conversely, 33 per cent of younger adults are interested in sports betting, compared to 18 per cent of older adults. Interest in other betting activities remains consistent across age groups.

Note: The survey covered individuals aged 18 and above, in line with UAE lottery rules. According to GCGRA guidelines, other commercial gaming activities require participants to be at least 21.

Five key predictions for the UAE gaming market

1. First experiences driven by easy entry points
   Lottery, raffles, and prize draws will be entry points for many residents, thanks to their simplicity and ease of access online (e.g. UAE Lottery).
2. International sports betting firms to swoop in
   There’s an “open goal” for both online and in-person sports betting. Expect a rush of global bookmakers aiming to license and launch in the UAE.
3. A boom for identity verification businesses
   Gaming operators will need secure identity verification partners. This is also crucial for enabling cryptocurrency gaming—an area of major potential given the UAE’s digital asset frameworks.
4. Synergy between game creators and betting
   The term “gaming” often overlaps with betting, and many operators will seek partnerships with developers to create engaging, interactive wagering experiences.
5. Tourism and hospitality spikes near casinos
   Ras Al Khaimah expects casino-related entertainment to help attract 3.5 million tourists by 2030. Cities like Las Vegas and Macau show how gaming can boost tourism. The UAE could match—or exceed—them, adding tens of billions to its economy.

Commercial gaming in the UAE

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, holds exclusive authority to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming in the UAE.

The GCGRA also acts as an innovation hub, promoting responsible gaming through education, support, and consumer protection.

The GCGRA’s Mandate

The GCGRA regulates all commercial gaming activities, including:

• Lottery: Participants purchase or bet on tickets, hoping to match numbers or symbols for rewards.
• Internet Gaming: Games offered online that involve chance, skill, or a combination of both—examples include bingo, casino games, eSports, fantasy sports, and peer-to-peer games.
• Sports Wagering: Legal bets on sports events, including horse racing, football, tennis, and more.
• Land-Based Gaming Facilities: Physical venues offering games like slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and others.

Risks of engaging in illegal gaming activities

Consumers

• Legal Risks: Participation in unlicensed gaming is illegal and subject to penalties.
• Financial Security: High risk of fraud and losses with no legal recourse.
• Social Impact: Normalizing illegal gaming can lead to harmful norms and exposure to financial crime.

Operators

• Regulatory Sanctions: Unlicensed operation leads to penalties, closure, and reputational harm.
• Investment Risk: Lack of oversight increases financial and operational risks.
• Ethical Concerns: Avoiding regulation compromises responsible gaming and public welfare.

Vendors

• Compliance Risks: Supplying unlicensed operators may result in legal action and loss of licenses.
• Reputational Damage: Association with illicit activity harms business relationships.
• Market Instability: Encouraging unregulated activity weakens the integrity of the gaming sector.