The continued rise of online casinos in the Emirates

The combination of pressure from young people and the foresight of progressive leadership has seen horizons expand for the Emirati people.

Today, the Emirates is a global go-to destination for thrill seekers, luxury travelers, and those who want to experience the very finest things in life. They are now also adding gambling to that list. Clear and consistent regulation has been the primary driver. 

A key regulatory body is established

The GCGRA was established by federal decree in 2023 to serve as the executive authority in all aspects of licensing and regulating the new legal gambling industry in the UAE. A key point to note about the initial formation of the GCGRA is that the UAE’s leadership took a proactive approach to seeking expertise from abroad. 

Kevin Mullally — a respected regulator with more than 30 years of experience developing and enforcing national and international regulation in the gaming and gambling industries — was appointed CEO. This was followed by the appointment of Jim Murren to lead the Board of Directors. Under their leadership, the GCGRA operates according to the following guiding principles: 

All casinos, lotteries, and betting sites must be tightly regulated by a central body Experts must be consulted at every stage of the licensing process to ensure clarity All decisions must be transparent so that the right thing can be seen to be done Casinos are forbidden from promoting their services in misleading ways Offers that are likely to lead to the development of problem gambling are forbiddenPut all of this together and you start to see how the UAE has transformed in just a few short years from a state where gambling was banned to one that offers some of the best playing experiences anywhere in the world. 

The GCGRA currently issues five different types of licenses designated either as ‘entity licenses’ or ‘individual licenses’. 

GCGRA entity licenses 

An entity license is used to regulate the behavior of operators, key decision-making bodies, and vendors: 

Gaming Operators: Online casinos, land-based casinos, state lotteries, and other forms of betting and wagering platformKey Persons (Corporate): Any decision-making bodies, including affiliate partners and management service providers Gaming Vendors: Any company that supplies gaming equipment or gaming-related services to gaming operatorsGCGRA individual licenses 

An individual license regulates the behavior and practices of people who work in the gaming and gambling industry, whether in-person or online, in the UAE: 

Gaming Employees: Anyone who works for a gaming operator in the UAE Key Persons (Individuals): Executives, directions, and other decision-makers License applications begin with a screening process where initial suitability is assessed based on things such as financial resources, prior experience, and good character. If the right to submit a formal application is granted, and the license is subsequently awarded, all license holders will be subject to ongoing compliance monitoring. A key part of this involves having to apply to renew the license, typically within two years. 

Searching for an online casino in the Emirates 

As we all know, finding an online casino should be quick and easy, but sometimes following a proven approach can make the difference. Here’s our advice on how to find the best place to play online in the Emirates:

Check the license   

Every casino in the Emirates needs to be licensed and regulated by the GCGRA for it to be allowed to operate legally. While the rules are robust and transport, enforcement is typically strict and that means players who place bets in an illegal casino can face financial penalties and prosecution. 

In some cases, the court will argue that the onus is on the player to check that the casino is licensed, except in cases where false declarations of compliance with the GCGRA are made. The authorities are seeking to build a healthy, sustainable betting and gambling industry within a country where people have historically not been gambling. This means that they need to be proactive when it comes to deterring and preventing problem habits from developing in the first place. Turning a blind eye to such developments would only increase opposition from older, more religiously conservative citizens that still exists in some quarters. 

Search testimonials 

Every casino will display testimonials and reviews and some will even link you to walkthrough demos that show you what the gameplay is like. The key point to focus on here is to localize your search so that you see the feedback from players within the UAE. 

You want to have the confidence that the playing experience complies with all of the GCGRA’s strict, yet transparent regulations. One such example would be making sure that all of the reviews are from consenting adults who are 18 years of age or older. Given the rise of mobile play, this is something that is increasingly important because of the ease of access. 

Check the terms and conditions 

Payout processing times and deposit limits will be clearly outlined in the terms and conditions, as well as refunds and cancelled bets should you need to know about them as well. One of the key things to note here is that the GCGRA also grants each casino a unique license number and the operator is legally required to display it clearly on the site. 

In many cases, the license number will be displayed in the footer section of the homepage. This will allow you to play with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are playing in a properly licensed and regulated online casino.

UAE income tax on casino winnings  

The Emirates has quickly become something of a global hub for expats all over the world, in large part because of the highly favorable tax system.There is no income tax on any earnings in the UAE, in large part due to the significant contribution the sale of the country’s oil reserves makes to the national budget. While this may mean that none of your potential winnings will be taxed, there is an important caveat to add: 

For the zero rate of tax on online casino winnings to apply, you must be a long-term resident of the UAE. It is not enough to simply be domiciled in the country for tax reasons only to then spend the majority of your time abroad.

Emirati citizens who move abroad but continue to play online casinos that operate in the Emirates will likely not be exempt from income tax on their winnings. Checking the status of the local tax code in the country you are now living in is the only way to accurately calculate what you may owe on any winnings you are able to amass. 

UAE age restrictions for gamblers 

No one under the age of 18 can gamble, wager, or place a bet of any kind in the UAE. This applies to online casinos, sports betting, and state-run lotteries. It also applies to Emirati citizens who are resident in the UAE but are considering placing a bet with an overseas operator. 

Although plans are still in the initial planning stage, the GCGRA is actively looking at establishing and funding an outreach arm to help players with their well-being. The idea is for the program to be similar to the likes of GambleAware in the UK and to offer players everything they need to make sure that their habits remain healthy, enjoyable, and sustainable. 

Popular casino games in the UAE

By far the most popular games to play online in the UAE are blackjack and roulette. Online versions of these two casino classics follow all the same rules but come with the added bonus of featuring a wide range of themes. Other traditional games such as craps and baccarat are gaining in popularity and attracting more players. There are also developers offering a new class of games — poker slot machines being one such example — in an attempt to show players something new. 

The UAE continues to be a hub of business and innovation, not least of all in the world of online casino gambling. The addition of HD video streams and integrated chat functionality to many of the casinos operating in the region only serves to underline the commitment being made by developers to the overall playing experience. 

Now that you know what the region has to offer, it’s over to you to see where you want to play and place a wager first.