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.

Oil prices rose more than $2 in Asian trading on Monday after the US and China said they would ease some of their tariff measures, lifting market sentiment that the world’s two largest crude users may be moving toward resolving their trade dispute.

Brent crude futures climbed $2.11, or 3.3 per cent, to $64.14 a barrel on Monday morning. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were trading at $63.14 a barrel, up $2.12, or 3.47 per cent, from Friday’s close.

Both sides said on Monday they would suspend 24 per cent of additional ad valorem tariffs on goods from the other country for an initial period of 90 days, in a joint statement following trade talks in Geneva over the weekend.

Read more: US, China agree to slash tariffs in bid to end trade war

Both benchmarks rose more than $1 on Friday and gained over 4 per cent last week for their first weekly gains since mid-April, after a US trade deal with Britain swelled investors’ optimism that economic disruptions from US tariffs on trading partners may be avoided.

The United States and China had ended trade talks on a positive note on Sunday, with US officials touting a “deal” to reduce the US trade deficit, while Chinese officials said both had reached “important consensus“.

Positive talks between the world’s two largest economies could help boost crude demand as trade, currently disrupted by massive tariffs levied by both countries, is restored between them.

Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities, said that OPEC’s plan to raise output capped gains.

Tazawa was referring to plans by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, to accelerate output hikes in May and June that will add more crude to the market.

However, a Reuters survey found that OPEC oil output edged lower in April.

Additionally, talks between Iranian and US negotiators to resolve disputes over Tehran’s nuclear programme ended in Oman on Sunday with further negotiations planned, officials said, as Tehran publicly insisted on continuing its uranium enrichment.

A US-Iran nuclear deal could alleviate concerns about lower global oil supply, which could also pressure oil prices.

Last week, US energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to their lowest since January, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday.

India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to announce the Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2025 today.

Although the official date has not yet been confirmed, past trends suggest that results are typically released in mid-May.

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According to an NDTV report, students will be able to check their results on the official websites: cbse.gov.in, cbseresults.nic.in, and results.cbse.nic.in. The board has advised students not to trust fake news and to rely only on official sources.

The CBSE results for both Class 10 and 12 were announced on May 13 in 2024.

A total of 2.2 million students appeared for the Class 10 exam last year. About 93.6 per cent of them (2.095 million students) passed, representing a marginal increase of 0.48 per cent compared to 2023, according to an Indian Express report.

Mark sheets

The CBSE Result 2025 mark sheets can be accessed using the student’s roll number, admit card ID, school code, and date of birth.

New post-result process for students

CBSE has introduced a new post-result process for Class 10 and 12 exams. Starting this year, students will be able to access photocopies of their evaluated answer sheets before deciding whether to apply for verification of marks or re-evaluation.

Previously, students had to first apply for mark verification, then request photocopies, and finally seek re-evaluation.

Under the revised system, the process now begins with obtaining answer sheet copies. This allows students to review their performance and the examiner’s comments in advance. Based on this review, they can then opt for mark verification, re-evaluation, or both.

Purpose of the new process

CBSE stated that this change is intended to help students make better-informed decisions regarding their answer scripts. The board will release detailed guidelines and schedules for these steps after the results are announced.

Class 10 exams were conducted from February 15 to March 1, while Class 12 exams took place from February 15 to April 4.

This year, more than 4.2 million students appeared for the exams.

Sobha Realty has launched a major new development on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, unveiling plans for a self-contained, mixed-use project featuring six towers, high-street retail, green parks, and premium office space.

Dubbed Sobha Central, the landmark project will feature 1,225 new one- and two-bedroom residences housed within its first tower, The Horizon, due for completion in December 2029.

Sobha describes the project as a “vertical urban sanctuary” blending luxury living, workspaces, retail and wellness – all in one central Dubai location.

“Sobha Central is a bold expression of our vision to shape the future of urban living in Dubai,” said Ravi Menon, chairman of Sobha Group.

“Strategically located on the most powerful corridor of the Middle East – Sheikh Zayed Road – this development goes beyond architecture to create a self-sustained high living community.”

The development is set to further include:

• 250,000 sq ft of green park space

• 175,000 sq ft of leasable office space

• 160,000 sq ft of retail, including a luxury shopping mall

A highlight of the design is an elevated circulation path that links all six towers, offering direct access to a gym, theatre, clubhouse, mall, restaurants, supermarkets and a Grand Hall. Outdoors, the project will feature landscaped terraces, infinity pools and private courtyards nestled within the central park.

The location is set to give residents quick access to nearby hotspots such as JBR, Dubai Marina, and Internet and Media City, with Menon pointing to the area’s strong real estate fundamentals:

“Recent industry reports highlight Marina, JLT and surrounding corridors among Dubai’s most resilient sub-markets, recording rental yields of 7–10 per cent and consistent capital appreciation.”

Sobha Central will also incorporate eco-conscious features such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, EV charging stations, double-glazed façades and district cooling.

The announcement comes as Dubai’s real estate market continues to surge, with developers capitalising on demand for premium, well-located residences. Sobha Realty, whose flagship community Sobha Hartland now houses more than 11,000 residents, is expanding its footprint with multiple new launches, including its first island project, Sobha Siniya Island.

The US and China have agreed to a sweeping reduction in tariffs on each other’s goods, marking a major de-escalation in a trade war that has roiled global markets and strained bilateral ties.

In a joint announcement on Monday following two days of high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland the world’s two largest economies said they would suspend most of the punitive tariffs that have battered trade flows since the re-election of Donald Trump as US president.

The deal includes a 90-day pause on further measures and sees reciprocal tariffs lowered from 125 per cent to 10 per cent — a cut of 115 percentage points. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the agreement.

Tariffs related to fentanyl and other targeted restrictions will remain in place, but the broad rollback represents the most significant thaw in US-China trade relations since the start of the Trump administration’s second term.

The two sides, in a joint statement, said they “will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations,”

The breakthrough follows months of rising tensions, during which Washington imposed tariffs as high as 145 per cent on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with matching 125 per cent duties. The tit-for-tat measures had sharply curtailed bilateral trade, triggered inflationary pressures in the US, and disrupted China’s export-driven economy.

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