Jim Murren named interim CEO of UAE gambling regulator after Kevin Mullally steps down

Kevin Mullally, the first chief executive of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, leaves with UAE Lottery live and Wynn developing Ras Al-Khaimah property.

Mullally served as CEO during the GCGRA’s establishment phase from the third quarter of 2023, the GCGRA said in a statement. He established its regulatory frameworks and oversaw the launch of the UAE Lottery, the Emirates’ first licensed gambling business. 

GCGRA Chairman Jim Murren, who succeeds him as CEO on an interim basis, said Mullally played a significant role in establishing the regulator’s core governance and regulatory structures. 

“We thank him for his contribution and wish him continued success in his future endeavours,” Murren said. “The GCGRA remains focused on the next stage of its growth, ensuring regulatory excellence, responsible gaming, and continued confidence in the UAE’s approach.”

Mullally ‘profoundly grateful’ to exceptional GCGRA team

Writing on Linkedin, Mullally described serving as CEO of the GCGRA as “one of the greatest professional honours of [his] career”. 

“I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional team with whom I have had the privilege to work. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to public service have been essential to everything we have achieved,” he said.

With that team he created “an efficient, modern regulatory framework” and an “agile, predictable and forward-looking regulatory environment”. But he now had to “prioritise family over [his] profession”, he added. 

“I look forward to returning to Kansas City with my incredible wife and best friend, Jerri, to be with our five children, their spouses, and our eight grandchildren. While this decision has not been easy, it is the right one for us and our family.”

GCGRA up and running, but gaming operations remain limited

When the the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority was established, the UAE’s largest gaming development, Wynn Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah, was already under construction. 

That property is due to open in March 2027, with Wynn Resorts predicting the UAE gambling market will be worth up to $5 billion at maturity. 

Wynn Al-Marjan Island is due to open in March 2027

It was under the regulations developed by Mullally that Wynn Al-Marjan secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming licence. Under the regulatory framework, each emirate can put forward one casino development for a licence. After Ras Al-Khaimah, the main prizes for operators would be resorts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

Industry speculation has linked multiple integrated resort operators with an Abu Dhabi facility, though there have been no public announcements on a project to date. MGM Resorts, which has a non-gaming development in Dubai, has been the most vocal about its ambitions for the market. 

CEO Bill Hornbuckle told delegates at a Skift conference in September last year that MGM Resorts had put forward an application for a casino licence, suggesting it had eyes on Abu Dhabi. 

However, that appears to have shifted back to Dubai, with the company saying little on the licence process since. 

What is Kevin Mullally’s legacy as the UAE gambling regulator?

Alongside setting up its regulatory framework, the launch of the UAE Lottery was the other major milestone of Mullally’s tenure.

The company behind the lottery, Momentum LLC, was a surprise victor in the tender for the lottery licence. Two companies, Mahzooz and Emirates Draw, were already running lotteries in the Emirates. Both paused operations as they pursued the national lottery certification. 

Mahzooz parent Ewings said it was planning a pivot after the “disappointing” decision, while Emirates Draw said it would shift focus to other legal gaming verticals. The UAE Lottery, meanwhile, announced the first winner of its Dh100 million jackpot in October this year.

But what about online? 

While the lottery is live, there are not yet any other licensed online operators. The UAE gambling regulations allow for one licensee per emirate, suggesting up to seven operators could ultimately be able to enter the market. 

However, as with the land-based properties, only expatriates – which make up around 88% of the UAE population – are allowed to gamble. 

Both online casino and sports betting licences are available. Despite much industry speculation of progress this year, no operator licensees have been announced. 

A number of suppliers for sports betting and iGaming have secured vendor certification. These include Sportradar, geolocation provider Xpoint and crypto specialist Yolo Group’s Hub88 and Live88 following that company’s regulated market pivot.

Will Jim Murren oversee the UAE’s online gaming launch?

This means interim CEO Jim Murren, who also holds the same role at Ritz Carlton Yachts and chairs Resorts World Las Vegas, could be overseeing the launch of online gaming in the UAE. 

GCGRA chair Jim Murren will take over Mullally’s role on an interim basis

Murren joined alongside Mullally to chair the regulator’s board of directors and has stepped in as CEO with immediate effect. The GCGRA said its operations, licensing programmes and stakeholder engagement will continue without interruption under the guidance of its new leadership team. 

In parting, Mullally added: “I am confident in the strength of the GCGRA, grateful for the dedication of its people, and proud of what we have accomplished together.”