The UAE is making history by launching the first licensed sports betting and iGaming platform

The UAE has taken an important step in the development of the regulated gaming industry by licensing the first online sports betting and online gaming platform, marking a milestone in a sector that has developed rapidly since the establishment of the country’s gaming regulatory body.The platform, known as Play971, is approved by the UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for supervising and regulating all commercial gaming activities across the country. This launch marks the first time that a fully licensed online sports betting and iGaming operator has been allowed to operate within the UAE’s new regulatory framework.

New gaming stage in the United Arab Emirates

The GCGRA was established in September 2023 to create and oversee a national framework for commercial gaming, including lotteries, online gaming, sports betting and land-based integrated gaming resorts.

Since then, the regulator has gradually built a licensing system designed to ensure consumer protection, responsible gaming and regulatory oversight.Play971 is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company that is officially listed by the regulator under the “Internet Gaming” and “Sports Betting” license categories. The company’s headquarters is located in the Yas Creative Center in the Twofour54 district of Abu Dhabi.

Industry watchers see the approval as one of the clearest indicators yet that the UAE is moving forward with a tightly regulated commercial gaming ecosystem under federal supervision.

What games and betting options are available?

According to the GCGRA, online gaming includes online activities conducted through websites and mobile applications that involve luck, skill, or a combination of both. Examples cited by the regulator include bingo, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, gambling games, fantasy sports, eSports competitions, peer-to-peer gaming, and skill-based gaming products.The sports betting category allows for licensed betting on sporting events and sporting events. The regulator says sports betting may include football, cricket, basketball, tennis, horse racing and other recognized sports. The launch thus offers both sports betting services and casino-style online gaming products under a regulated environment to eligible users in the UAE.

Rules for residents of the United Arab Emirates

The platform operates under several restrictions stipulated in its terms and conditions.Users must be at least 21 years old and physically located within the UAE to create an account, deposit funds or participate in games. The system also prohibits the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and other methods used to hide a user’s location or identity. According to the published rules, the platform may withhold winnings if users violate these requirements.Play971 also states that access may be restricted in certain “sensitive geographic areas” determined by the regulator.

The company says it has implemented responsible gaming tools, player protections, safeguards against underage participation and access to support services designed to promote responsible play.GCGRA has repeatedly stressed that only licensed operators may legally conduct commercial gaming activities in the UAE and that engaging in unauthorized gaming activities may result in penalties.

Wider gaming strategy in the UAE

The approval of Play971 comes amid a broader expansion of the regulated gaming sector in the UAE.According to GCGRA, the license is among a growing number of approvals issued since the regulatory body was established. Previous licenses include The Game LLC, operator of the UAE Lottery, and the license granted to Ras Al Khaimah’s Wynn Al Murjan, which is developing the region’s first integrated gaming resort. Several gaming-related technology and service providers have also received regulatory approval. Analysts believe that the launch of the country’s first licensed online betting platform represents another milestone in the UAE’s carefully managed approach to commercial gaming. Instead of opening the market widely, regulators have focused on a phased rollout based on strict licensing requirements, oversight and responsible gaming.For the UAE, Play971’s arrival is more than just the launch of a new site. It indicates the continuing development of a completely new regulated industry, which did not formally exist within the country’s federal framework just a few years ago.