UAE Gaming Market Expansion: Scientific Games and Random State Join Growing Supplier Network

Middle East Gaming Hub Attracts International Technology Leaders

The United Arab Emirates continues to establish itself as a significant force in the global gaming industry with the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) approving two major international technology companies for vendor licenses. Scientific Games and Random State have joined the growing ecosystem of suppliers authorized to serve the UAE’s emerging lottery and gaming market, bringing the total number of licensed vendors to nine.

This latest wave of approvals demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to building a comprehensive gaming infrastructure that rivals established markets worldwide. The regulatory authority’s selective approach to vendor licensing reflects a strategic vision to attract only the most capable and experienced technology providers to support the nation’s ambitious gaming expansion plans.

Scientific Games Brings Five Decades of Expertise

The approval of Scientific Games represents a significant coup for the UAE gaming market, as the company brings more than 50 years of international lottery expertise to the Middle East region. Already operating across 50 nations globally, Scientific Games’ entry into the UAE market signals the jurisdiction’s growing reputation as a serious gaming destination that attracts top-tier suppliers.

Michael Conforti, president of international business for Scientific Games, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to contribute to the UAE’s lottery development. The company’s extensive portfolio of high-performing lottery products positions it to play a crucial role in supporting programs that benefit local communities and projects of national importance throughout the Emirates.

The company’s global experience will prove invaluable as the UAE continues developing its lottery infrastructure and seeks to maximize revenue generation for beneficial causes. Scientific Games’ track record of successful lottery implementations across diverse international markets provides the UAE with proven expertise in building sustainable and profitable lottery operations.

Random State Eyes Dynamic Digital Opportunities

Random State, the Sweden-headquartered specialist in real-money instant games and digital lottery products, views the UAE market as presenting exceptional growth potential. The company’s focus on gamified instant games and custom draw products aligns perfectly with the UAE’s vision of creating a modern, digitally-enabled gaming environment that appeals to contemporary players.

Adam Fonsica, co-founder and chief operating officer at Random State, characterized earning the GCGRA’s trust as a major milestone for the company. His confidence in the UAE’s potential to become one of the world’s most dynamic digital lottery markets reflects broader industry sentiment about the region’s gaming prospects.

Random State’s expertise in digital gaming solutions positions it to help the UAE develop innovative lottery products that could set new standards for player engagement in the Middle East region. The company’s planned introduction of gamified instant games and custom draw games later this year represents an important step in the UAE’s evolution toward a fully modern gaming market.

The Game LLC: UAE’s Lottery Pioneer

The UAE’s lottery market centers around The Game LLC, which operates as the UAE Lottery under the nation’s only lottery license awarded by the GCGRA in June 2024. The company launched ticket sales in November 2024, culminating in its inaugural draw on December 14, marking a historic milestone for gambling in the UAE.

The Game LLC operates as a subsidiary of Momentum, an Abu Dhabi-based company with expertise spanning mobile game development, virtual reality, iGaming, and esports management. This diverse technological background positions the UAE Lottery to potentially expand beyond traditional lottery offerings into more sophisticated gaming products as the market matures.

The GCGRA has emphasized that the UAE Lottery represents the only legal lottery option available throughout the country, though two duty-free lotteries continue operating at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai Duty Free specifically for travelers. This clarification helps establish clear market boundaries while allowing existing operations to continue serving their specialized audiences.

Land-Based Gaming Development Progresses

Beyond lottery operations, the UAE’s gaming expansion includes significant land-based casino development through Wynn Resorts, which received the country’s first commercial casino gaming license in 2024. The Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort project represents a multi-billion-dollar investment in the Ras Al Khaimah emirate, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027.

This ambitious resort development, created through a joint venture between Wynn Resorts affiliates, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding, will feature comprehensive gaming facilities alongside more than 1,000 hotel rooms, convention facilities, shopping venues, and restaurants. The resort’s strategic location places it just 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, ensuring accessibility for both regional and international visitors.

The Al Marjan Island location, approximately 65 miles from Dubai, positions the resort to serve as a gaming destination for the broader UAE market while potentially attracting visitors from throughout the Gulf region and beyond.

Regulatory Framework Evolution

The establishment of the GCGRA in 2023 marked the beginning of the UAE’s formal entry into regulated gambling, creating a comprehensive framework for lottery, commercial gaming, and related activities. The authority’s systematic approach to market development, from initial vendor licensing through operator approvals and ongoing oversight, demonstrates a commitment to building a sustainable and reputable gaming industry.

The regulatory authority’s careful management of market entry reflects international best practices in gaming regulation, with emphasis on ensuring operator quality, protecting consumer interests, and maintaining market integrity. This methodical approach to market development positions the UAE to avoid many of the challenges that have affected gaming markets with less structured regulatory approaches.

As the UAE gaming market continues evolving, the GCGRA’s role in balancing market growth with regulatory oversight will prove crucial to long-term success. The authority’s decisions regarding vendor licensing, operator approvals, and market structure will significantly influence the UAE’s position within the global gaming landscape.