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Scientific Games and Random State have been approved by UAE’s gambling regulator.
Scientific Games and Random State have become the latest businesses to be awarded Gaming Related Vendor licences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) approved the two international gaming technology groups to offer their services to the Middle East state’s nascent lottery market. This takes the total number of suppliers licensed by the authority to nine.
Previously approved vendors include slot machine manufacturers and payment providers, among them IGT Global Services, Novomatic and Aristocrat Technologies Europe.
The GCGRA was established by the UAE in 2023 to establish the market’s regulatory framework for gambling, national lottery and commercial gaming. In June last year it awarded the nation’s only lottery licence to The Game LLC. Later in 2024, the GCGRA awarded Wynn Resorts the UAE’s first commercial land-based casino gaming licence.
Scientific Games piqued by UAE opportunity
Already present in 50 nations, Scientific Games welcomed the opportunity to offer its lottery products and services in the UAE market.
“We are extremely pleased that Scientific Games has been authorised as a lottery supplier in the UAE with this licence,” said Michael Conforti, president of international business for Scientific Games.
“We look forward to putting our more than 50 years of expertise to work in the UAE to offer high-performing products that will responsibly help drive revenue for lottery programs supporting local communities and projects of national importance.”
Random State hails ‘major milestone’
Sweden-headquartered Random State, which offers real-money eInstant games and bespoke digital-lottery products, sees strong opportunities in the UAE.
“The UAE has the potential to become one of the world’s most dynamic digital-lottery markets,” said Adam Fonsica, co-founder and chief operating officer at Random State. “Earning the GCGRA’s trust is a major milestone for us. We’re eager to introduce our gamified eInstants and custom draw games to local players later this year.”
UAE Lottery launch unclear
Licensee The Game LLC operates as the UAE Lottery, offering a range of lottery games and other products. Tickets went on sale in November 2024, ahead of its inaugural draw on 14 December.
In the run-up to that milestone the GCGRA issued a warning clarifying that the UAE Lottery was the only legal lottery available across the country. Two duty-free lotteries – Big Ticket in Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai Duty Free – can run draws for travellers.
Last year, the GCGRA said the UAE Lottery “caters to players’ variety of interests and financial preferences”.
The GCGRA describes The Game as “a commercial gaming operator specialising in game development, lottery operations and gaming-related content”. It is a subsidiary of Momentum, an Abu Dhabi-based business that claims expertise in mobile games development and publishing, virtual reality, iGaming and esports management.
Land-based casino gaming licensee Wynn Resorts is already building its Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort. The Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) project is a joint venture between affiliates of Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.
Wynn expects to open its multi-billion-dollar project in Q1 2027. Al Marjan Island is 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. It is about 65 miles from Dubai, the UAE’s largest city.
It will have a gaming floor, 1,000+ hotel rooms, convention facilities, shopping and restaurants.
