Gaming Casino News – The United Arab Emirates, known for its opulent luxury resorts and world-class horse racing, is contemplating a new draw for tourists: gambling.
A recent development in the UAE introduces a regulatory body for overseeing commercial gaming. This entity, named the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), is comprised of experts from the United States with extensive experience in the casino and gambling sectors. Notably, gambling is currently prohibited in the UAE, a country with legal codes influenced by the Quran, which forbids such practices.
The GCGRA aims to establish a regulatory framework for both a national lottery and commercial gaming. According to Emirati state media WAM, this initiative is designed to responsibly unlock the economic potential associated with commercial gaming.
Leading figures in the industry, Kevin Mullally and Jim Murren, have assumed key roles within the GCGRA, serving as CEO and chair, respectively. Collectively, they bring 32 years of expertise in the gambling sector. Jim Murren, the former CEO of MGM Resorts International (MGM), and Kevin Mullally, who held various positions at Gaming Laboratories International, are well-positioned to contribute to the establishment of a robust regulatory framework for the UAE’s lottery and gaming industry.
Gaming Casino Industry
Last year, Wynn Resorts entered into an agreement to construct a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, featuring a designated “gaming area.” While the details of the gaming offerings remain undisclosed, Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Hotels, indicated in an earnings call that the resort anticipates obtaining a gaming license for operations in Ras Al Khaimah soon.
For the cruise industry, the potential legalization of gambling in the UAE holds significance. Cruise liners like MSC and Royal Caribbean Cruise frequently visit UAE ports, complete with onboard casinos. However, gambling is prohibited in UAE waters, preventing these casinos from operating while docked, as indicated by Costa Cruises and Oceania’s FAQ pages.
Dubai, renowned as the “cruise hub of the region,” hosts 1,750 cruise ships annually, while Abu Dhabi recently experienced a record influx of 700,000 cruise tourists between May 2022 and 2023.
Tourism currently contributes 9% to the UAE’s GDP. If legalized gambling were to make up 1.6% of the country’s GDP, similar to the model in Singapore, it could potentially generate an annual revenue of $6.6 billion, according to Bloomberg analysts.
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People also ask
Is gambling legal in the Emirates?
No, gambling is not legal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to Islamic law, which prohibits all forms of gambling and related advertising.
Is There Legal Gambling in the UAE?
Gambling in all its forms is strictly prohibited in the UAE, including the cosmopolitan city of Dubai. This ban applies to both UAE residents and foreign visitors, encompassing both in-person and online gambling activities.
Is online gambling allowed in the UAE?
Absolutely not. Online gambling is unequivocally prohibited in both the United Arab Emirates and Dubai. The UAE’s laws leave no room for ambiguity, making it abundantly clear that residents, even those in Dubai, are forbidden from engaging in any type of online gambling.
Will Dubai ever open a casino?
In a significant development, the United Arab Emirates, specifically Dubai, has established a federal authority with the potential mandate to oversee a national lottery and what they refer to as “commercial gaming.” This move strongly hints at the possibility of the UAE opening its doors to gambling, especially as notable casino operators show increasing interest in the Gulf Arab nation.
Which Arab countries have casinos?
Several Middle Eastern nations, including Lebanon and Egypt, boast casinos that operate 24/7, providing a diverse range of gambling options, including slot machines, table games, and live casino classics. Additionally, Malaysia, despite being predominantly Muslim, permits various forms of gambling within its borders.