The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has announced the appointment of Jennifer Carleton as its chief of licensing and regulations.
Hailing from a legal background, Carleton has more than 30 years of experience in gaming law, regulation and compliance. During her career, she has worked with a range of public and private land-based gaming facilities and entertainment companies.
Most recently, Carleton was chief legal officer at industry payments solutions Sightline Payments, working in the role for more than four years. She also served on the company’s board for the past two years.
Prior to this, Carleton was a partner at US law firms Howard and Howard and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. She spent over a decade as senior staff attorney for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.
“Jennifer will play a key role in advancing our mission to regulate with integrity, transparency and global best practice,” the GCGRA said on LinkedIn.
“Her extensive background has fostered strong relationships with global regulators and licensing professionals, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted leader in gaming compliance and governance.”
Carleton added: “I’m honoured to return to the UAE after all these years; it’s been a few years since I lived in Abu Dhabi. I’m excited to be a part of this incredible team.”
Evolving face of GCGRA
The GCGRA came into being in September 2023, with the primary task of creating a regulatory framework for national lottery and commercial gaming in the UAE.
Kevin Mullally has been at the helm as CEO since the organisation’s inception. He previously served as Missouri Gaming Commission executive director and spent 17 years at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).
Jim Murren also continues to chair the organisation’s board of directors. Murren led MGM Resorts as chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2020.
However, there have been several changes to the management team at the GCGRA. These include Ahmed Barakat, who took on the position of chief operating officer but has since departed. The organisation is yet to bring in a replacement.
Meanwhile, Manuela Croci has seen her initial role of chief of supervision, investigations, FCP change, with the investigations part of the position removed. Carleton will oversee this as part of her new role with the regulator.
Other key staff members remain the same, including Leina El Barasi as chief financial officer and Carlos Gutierrez as chief information officer. Dina Helal (chief human resources officer) and Ourouba El Arab (general counsel and board secretary) also remain in place.
As for the board, this remains unchanged from its initial setup. Members include Chris O’Donnell, John Kelly, Giovanni Lega, Mark Lipparelli, William Grounds and Nick Casiello.
Jennifer Carleton has worked in gaming law, regulation and compliance for more than 30 years.