Summary
- Scientific Games is the newest company to obtain a lottery vendor license in the United Arab Emirates.
- This represents a major accomplishment for the company, given the ongoing growth of the UAE's gambling market.
- With the upcoming launch of its first land-based casino, the UAE might also explore the introduction of online casinos and sports betting.
The company is joining a group of others that have already received lottery licenses in the United Arab Emirates. Scientific Games, a leading global lottery company, has achieved a significant milestone by acquiring the required permits to become the newest gaming vendor in the UAE.
Scientific Games makes a significant step in the Middle East
The country's gambling watchdog, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), issued the permit. The company is one of several to have received approval to offer its products locally, making its accomplishment particularly noteworthy. Previously, GCGRA granted licenses to IGT Global Services Ltd, Novomatic AG, and Aristocrat Technologies Europe. The regulator also approved The Game LLC to operate the country's lottery. The recent licensing of Scientific Games occurs amid significant changes in the region's gambling scene. A new land-based casino resort in Ras Al-Khaimah, which boasts a $5.1 billion investment from Wynn Resorts, is expected to open in 2027.
Land-based developments are carried out at full throttle in the UAE
The local subsidiary, Wynn I Marjan, is currently the only licensed land-based company permitted to operate a physical casino once the project is completed. However, MGM Resorts International has also submitted an application, which is anticipated to receive approval. The regulatory body is waiting for the first project's completion or significant progress before approving any additional similar projects. It is widely believed that the GCGRA aims to avoid excessive competition in the early stages by providing Wynn Resorts and its local operations a first-mover advantage.
