Light And Wonder Gains License To Operate In UAE

Light & Wonder is officially entering the UAE’s regulated gaming market after securing a vendor license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The license allows the company to supply iGaming content, table games, and land-based machines to licensed operators in the country.

Good to know

• Light & Wonder can now legally operate across the UAE with licensed partners.
• The GCGRA only began issuing licenses in July 2024.
• Wynn Resorts is building a $2B casino resort on Al Marjan Island, opening in 2027.

Matt Wilson, President and CEO of Light & Wonder, said the license represents a big step for the company as it expands into new regulated territories. He said:

“Securing a license from the GCGRA is an important milestone for Light & Wonder as we enter one of the most anticipated new regulated markets in the world. We’re honored to be among the first approved suppliers and are committed to bringing our trusted, responsible and player-first approach to the UAE.”

While Light & Wonder joins the market in 2025, the UAE has been preparing for the entry of gaming for a few years. The GCGRA issued its first license in July 2024 to The Game LLC, which launched the country’s first legal lottery.

That same year, Aristocrat received the first gaming vendor license, setting off a wave of approvals that also included Novomatic, IGT, and Scientific Games. Light & Wonder now becomes part of that early group, gaining access to a market that is still very much in its opening stages.

All of this momentum followed Wynn Resorts’ major 2023 announcement about its $2 billion project in Ras Al Khaimah. The integrated resort on Al Marjan Island is expected to feature a casino and open its doors in early 2027, bringing global attention to the UAE’s entry into the gambling space.

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