Aristocrat awarded first gaming vendor licence in UAE

The supplier will be able to provide its land-based gaming machines, technology and online casino content to licensed operators. According to a press release, it will operate under the GCGRA’s Gaming Related Vendor licence.

On 5 October, Wynn Resorts was awarded the first UAE commercial land-based casino gaming licence. Wynn is developing its Al Marjan Island Resort, located in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. 

Previously, Wynn said the project is scheduled to open in 2027. The operator has forecast the UAE gaming market to be worth $3-$5 billion. (£2.3-£3.9 billion/€2.8-€4.6 billion) For its property in RAK, it projects gross gaming revenue in the range of $1-$1.67 billion. The base expectation of $1.33 billion. 

Aristocrat gaming CEO Hector Fernandez said the company is “honoured to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market.” 

“At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house wherever, and whenever the world plays. We look forward to doing so by providing premium content for players in the UAE while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay,” Fernandez said.  

The GCGRA was formed in September 2023 to oversee the regulation of gambling across the Emirates. In July it awarded the UAE’s only lottery licence to The Game LLC, to operate its national lottery.  

The regulator’s executive team and board consist of a number of familiar faces in gaming. Among them are former chairman and CEO for MGM Resorts Jim Murren and former Nevada Gaming Control Board chair Mark Lipparelli.  

MGM awaiting casino licence 

MGM Resorts said it also applied for a UAE casino licence on 20 September. At the time CEO Bill Hornbuckle said he expected to hear more on what the UAE regulator’s federal mandate and federal oversight would be later in the year.  

The operator has a UAE resort under development in Dubai. That is through a partnership with Hospitality and Leisure featuring the MGM, Bellagio and Aria brands and 1,500 hotel rooms. The deal dates back to 2017.  

“Dubai has not opined on [gaming] yet,” Hornbuckle said at the time. “I hope and believe we’ll hear more from Abu Dhabi later this year about the federal mandate and federal oversight and we’ll go from there.”