UAE grants vendor licence to Scientific Games amid market expansion
A new milestone has been reached in the United Arab Emirates’ growing gaming sector, as a fresh licence has been granted to one of the world’s leading iLottery suppliers. Scientific Games, known for its innovative, secure, and purpose-driven lottery products, has officially been authorised as a gaming-related vendor by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
“Extremely pleased” with approval
Michael Conforti, President of International Business for Scientific Games, said, “We are extremely pleased that Scientific Games has been authorised as a lottery supplier in the UAE with this license. We look forward to putting our more than 50 years of expertise to work in the UAE to offer high-performing products that will responsibly help drive revenue for lottery programs supporting local communities and projects of national importance.”
Scientific Games is widely recognised as the world’s largest lottery games provider and the fastest-growing lottery systems technology company. Operating in 50 countries and across five continents, the company delivers retail and digital games, analytics, and services to 150 lotteries globally. It seeks to deliver the most entertaining lottery experiences for consumers while helping lotteries maximise good cause funding.
Part of an expanding vendor list
. Sweden’s Random State AB has also been added to the list this week, becoming the ninth approved supplier. Other licensed companies include global slot machine manufacturers and payment providers such as IGT Global Services Ltd, Novomatic AG, and Aristocrat Technologies Europe.
In April, Novomatic AG was granted a Tier 1 gaming-related vendor licence, making it one of the first gaming companies to enter the newly regulated UAE market. Aristocrat was the first gaming vendor to receive a licence from the GCGRA in October 2023.
UAE’s regulated gaming market expands
The GCGRA is the federal executive body tasked with overseeing and regulating all commercial gaming activities in the UAE. Established in September 2023, the authority is responsible for ensuring transparency, fairness and responsible practices across the sector. It is chaired by Jim Murren, former chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International.
So far, the GCGRA has issued only one lottery operations licence, awarded to The Game LLC. In the land-based gaming sector, Wynn Resorts Ltd remains the sole licensed operator. Its $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al-Khaimah is currently under development and expected to have a pre-opening in the first quarter of 2027.
Scientific Games being added to the UAE’s licensed vendor list shows the country’s ongoing efforts to establish a clear and properly regulated gaming sector, as it brings in well-known international companies.
