Play 971 Secures UAE iGaming License

Play 971 has launched as the United Arab Emirates' inaugural fully licensed online casino platform, marking a pivotal entry into the Gulf's nascent regulated iGaming market. Operated by Momentum Logistics, the state-backed entity behind The UAE Lottery, the site has received approval from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to deliver internet gaming and sports wagering services. This development signals the UAE's deliberate pivot towards a controlled gambling ecosystem, leveraging its expatriate-heavy population to generate revenue while upholding stringent local safeguards.

• Regulatory Milestone: The GCGRA's endorsement establishes a benchmark for compliance in a jurisdiction that blends Islamic principles with commercial innovation, excludes Emirati nationals, and enforces geo-fencing for expat access.
• Market Catalyst: Operators eyeing Gulf expansion gain a blueprint for integrating with lottery frameworks, potentially accelerating similar models in neighbouring states such as Saudi Arabia.
• Player Safeguards: Built-in responsible gambling protocols, including age verification and spend limits, prioritise consumer protection amid cultural sensitivities.

The rollout of Play 971 on 28 November 2025 underscores the UAE's strategic embrace of regulated iGaming, a sector long anticipated following the formation of the GCGRA in 2023. Momentum Logistics, a subsidiary of The UAE Lottery established to manage non-lottery gaming ventures, has positioned the platform as a trial initiative in select emirates, with plans for broader deployment contingent on performance metrics. Ownership traces back to government-aligned structures, ensuring alignment with federal directives that prohibit Emirati participation while targeting the nation's 88% expatriate population—estimated at over 8 million individuals from diverse backgrounds.

This licensing approval is issued under the GCGRA's overarching framework, which mandates rigorous operator vetting, including financial stability assessments and technology audits to ensure fairness. Unlike more mature European jurisdictions such as Malta or the UK, the UAE's model integrates lottery oversight with iGaming, reflecting a hybrid approach that prioritises revenue diversification for public coffers over broad liberalisation. The regulator's database confirms that Play 971 is the sole active internet gaming licensee to date, with license number GCGRA-IG-2025-001, valid for an initial three-year term, subject to annual renewals.

For new operators, this debut illuminates pathways into high-growth emerging markets where regulatory clarity remains evolving. The UAE's competitive landscape, previously dominated by offshore grey operators, now pivots towards licensed entities, potentially curbing illicit flows estimated at AED 10 billion annually. Partnerships underpin the platform's tech stack: while core slots draw from in-house developments, the live casino segment features Evolution Gaming's Speed Dragon Tiger, hinting at selective supplier integrations despite Evolution's pending GCGRA listing. Such collaborations enable swift market entry, blending global expertise with local compliance.

Industry implications extend to payment processors and software providers, who must adapt to UAE-specific gateways such as those from Network International, while emphasising crypto exclusions and fiat-only transactions. For players, primarily expats in sectors like finance and construction, Play 971 offers a secure alternative to unregulated sites, with features such as real-time net spend tracking and self-exclusion tools that mirror European standards set by bodies like the UK's Gambling Commission.

Stakeholders anticipate this launch will influence regional dynamics, spurring applications from established firms like Betsson and Kindred, which have eyed Gulf opportunities. As the GCGRA refines its playbook—drawing from Ontario's iGaming blueprint for phased rollouts—the UAE positions itself as a revenue hub, projecting initial GGR of AED 500 million within the first year. This controlled expansion not only bolsters fiscal resilience but also sets precedents for responsible practices in culturally conservative contexts, benefiting operators through enhanced trust and regulators via enforceable oversight.

Sources: iGaming Business