Aristocrat Gaming has entered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market, securing the nation’s inaugural Gaming-Related Vendor Licence. The licence was granted by the UAE’s gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).   

This development paves the way for Aristocrat to supply both land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online gaming technology solutions to GCGRA-licensed commercial operators within the UAE. In a , Aristocrat’s CEO of Gaming, Hector Fernandez, expressed the company’s enthusiasm, stating, “We are honoured to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market.”  

Expanding gaming opportunities in UAE  

The vendor licence permits Aristocrat to cater to a growing UAE gaming market, which is evolving under the watchful eye of the GCGRA. The authority has been active in issuing gaming-related licences, having recently licensed Wynn Resorts as the first Commercial Gaming Facility Operator. Wynn’s $5.1 billion casino project on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island highlights the UAE’s ambition to expand its regulated gaming sector, expected to attract tourism and boost the economy.   

The GCGRA, formed just over a year ago, is led by former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren, with Kevin Mullally, a seasoned gaming regulator from Missouri, serving as CEO. The licencing developments signify the UAE’s commitment to establishing a responsibly regulated commercial gaming industry.  

Aristocrat’s on premium gaming content, responsible gameplay  

With the new licence, Aristocrat will introduce a range of gaming content, hardware, and services specifically designed to appeal to UAE players’ interests and spending preferences. Aristocrat’s approach, which combines premium gaming experiences with a focus on responsible gameplay, aligns with the GCGRA’s mandate for a regulated and ethical gaming environment. “At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house wherever, and whenever the world plays,” Fernandez added. The company’s entry into the UAE market signifies its strategic expansion into the Middle East, where demand for regulated gaming options is anticipated to grow.   “We look forward to doing so by providing premium content for players in the UAE while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay,” he added.  

Industry impact and prospects  

Aristocrat’s licencing comes at a crucial moment for the UAE, which has been cautious yet progressive in its approach to gaming regulation. Although the GCGRA has not disclosed specifics about other gaming licences, the announcement of the Aristocrat vendor licence and the commercial gaming facility licence for Wynn Resorts marks a major shift in the region. RAK Hospitality, the developer behind the Wynn project, has projected that the integrated resort will open by early 2027, enhancing the UAE’s tourism sector with luxury gaming facilities.