The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) awarded Smartplay International, a renowned supplier of lottery and gaming equipment headquartered in New Jersey, a vendor licence. This new licence enables Smartplay to supply its advanced lottery and gaming systems to licenced operators across the UAE. This positions the company as a significant player in the region’s evolving gaming landscape.

Smartplay’s vendor licence achievement

“We’re honoured that the GCGRA has awarded this vendor licence and allowed us to supply licenced gaming operators in the UAE,” remarked Darrell Smith, Vice President of Sales at Smartplay International. “We see great opportunities in the country and look forward to working with new gaming operators as they are approved by GCGRA.” With an extensive portfolio, Smartplay International’s number-drawing systems are in operation across 127 countries, serving major lotteries, including Powerball, Megamillions, the UK National Lottery, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. This new milestone in the UAE marks Smartplay’s entrance into the Middle Eastern market, aligning with the UAE’s strategic expansion in regulated gaming.

Established in September, the GCGRA oversees commercial gaming compliance and consumer protection across the UAE. This vendor licence marks one of the initial licences granted as the UAE positions itself within the global gaming industry through well-regulated frameworks and new business opportunities.

Aristocrat Gaming enters UAE market

Aristocrat Gaming recently became the first major international supplier to secure a gaming-related vendor licence from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This licence allows Aristocrat to offer land-based electronic gaming machines and online solutions to licensed operators in the UAE, marking a significant step in the country’s regulated gaming sector.

Besides Smartplay’s milestone, the GCGRA has granted a gaming operator licence to The Game LLC, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Momentum. As the UAE’s first licenced lottery operator, The Game LLC will introduce a comprehensive portfolio of lottery games tailored to suit diverse player interests and financial capabilities. This development showcases the UAE’s commitment to a structured and secure gaming environment, reflecting the GCGRA’s standards of integrity and regulatory excellence.

GCGRA’s commitment to structured gaming growth

Thus, the UAE’s entry into regulated gaming, bolstered by the GCGRA’s oversight, looks poised to attract international interest and investment in the gaming industry. As other operators seek to secure licences in this emerging market, Smartplay’s established reputation and specialised lottery systems are likely to make the company a valuable partner for new operators.

The GCGRA’s licencing framework enables various business types to take part, including vendor licences like Smartplay’s, as well as licences for gaming operators and individual personnel. This structured approach is part of a broader commitment to transparent and secure gaming operations, marking the UAE as a rapidly growing hub for regulated gaming within the region. For Smartplay, this development not only opens a new market but also reinforces its global reach and dedication to supporting lottery systems across multiple jurisdictions. The company’s expertise and state-of-the-art lottery equipment will enhance the UAE’s gaming offerings, aligning with the aim of fostering safe and engaging gaming options for players. Smartplay International and The Game LLC’s entry into the UAE’s regulated gaming sector underscores the country’s careful industry expansion. As they issue more licences, the UAE expects further growth and innovation in this space.

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