Light & Wonder has become the latest gambling business to secure a gaming-related vendor licence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Approval came from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the UAE, on 18 July.
The licence covers Light & Wonder for both online and land-based gambling activity in the market. This includes providing land-based electronic gaming machines, table games and utilities, as well as iGaming content to licensed operators.
“Securing a licence from the GCGRA is an important milestone for Light & Wonder as we enter one of the most anticipated new regulated markets in the world,” Light & Wonder President and CEO Matt Wilson said.
“We’re honoured to be among the first approved suppliers and are committed to bringing our trusted, responsible and player-first approach to the UAE.”
Who else has a licence in the UAE?
Light & Wonder is the 13th company to secure a gaming-related vendor licence in the UAE market.
Aristocrat Technologies Europe was the first to be approved, picking up its licence in October 2024. Since then, various other vendors including slot machine manufacturers and payment providers have also gained licences.
Among the other approved companies are Novomatic, IGT Global Services and Scientific Games International. TCS John Huxley, Pollard Banknote and Fennica Gaming also now hold licences.
Aside from gaming-related vendor licences, GCGRA, which was formed in 2023, has issued two other licences.
In June 2024, the organisation awarded the nation’s only lottery licence to The Game LLC. The new UAE Lottery offers a range of lottery games and other products. Tickets went on sale in November 2024, ahead of its inaugural draw on 14 December.
Although a number of online vendor licences have been approved, there has been no indication as to when iGaming will become available in the market.
Meanwhile, the only land-based gaming facilities licence so far is for Wynn Resorts. This covers Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort, a new multi-purpose project under construction in Ras Al Khaimah.
A joint venture between affiliates of Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding, the multi-billion-dollar development is set to open in Q1 2027.
Light & Wonder will be cleared to supply online and land-based services in the UAE.