UAE lays out rules to regulate gambling industry

• Regulator publishes policy paper
• Money laundering is main concern
• 6,000 illegal websites shut down

The UAE’s gambling regulator has set out in a policy paper recommendations on how its nascent gambling industry will operate, detailing player participation, money flows and a strict approach to shutting down illegal activities.

The publication focuses heavily on anti-money laundering and player controls and was released by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and the National Anti Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee.

The Commercial Gaming Policy Paper offers the clearest view yet of how regulators intend to police players, operators and payments as legal gambling expands. 

Not all of the policies have been enacted and some measures are recommendations by the anti-money laundering authority, which the GCGRA is advised to implement.

The country is yet to publish its federal laws for gaming, despite the fact licences have already been awarded for online betting, sports betting, lotteries and casinos. 

Here are four main insights from the report: 

1. Clear thresholds for when players are identified

At the centre of the policy is a firm transaction threshold that removes anonymity from gambling.

Any player whose deposits or withdrawals cumulatively exceed AED11,000 ($2,995) must be fully identified and monitored through a verified player account. That applies across online gaming, casinos, sports betting and lotteries.

Player risk ratings must be assigned at onboarding, reviewed periodically and reassessed if betting behaviour changes. High-value or “VIP” players are subject to enhanced checks, including verification of source of funds and, in some cases, senior management approval before accounts can remain active.

2. A hard line on money laundering

The policy paper reinforces that gambling operators are now treated as designated non-financial businesses.

Operators must appoint a locally based money laundering reporting officer, retain transaction records for at least five years and submit suspicious activity reports to the UAE’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

Further reading:

• UAE lottery operator launches online casino and betting brands
• Wynn advertises jobs for UAE casino workers
• MGM boss ‘surprised’ at delay in casino licence for Dubai resort

Cash, long a favoured vehicle for illicit play, is explicitly flagged as a risk. The paper calls for limits, reporting thresholds and enhanced scrutiny of players who rely heavily on physical currency.

The regulator is also planning technology-driven oversight, including the development of a Unified Player Database, allowing regulators to spot patterns across operators rather than in silos.

3. Illegal gaming shut down

The document reveals the scale of enforcement already under way.

Since launch, the GCGRA says it has blocked more than 6,000 illegal gambling websites and taken action against high-volume offshore operators, disrupting the majority of identified illicit activity.

Any commercial gambling activity not explicitly licensed is deemed illegal. The paper signals that enforcement will remain a priority even as legal gambling expands.

4. Airport lotteries allowed

The policy clarifies the status of airport lotteries, long a fixture in UAE departure halls.

Existing airport lottery operations have been allowed to continue, but without expansion, and now fall under GCGRA supervision. That means no new products, no growth beyond current footprints and full regulatory oversight.