With the United Arab Emirates (UAE) slowly releasing the brakes on the gaming industry, the country is on course to become a major player in the entertainment sector.
Read on as we analyse some of the developments that will help to make gaming the next big thing in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
The Wynn Resort
One of the most exciting gaming-related developments in the UAE is the Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is still under construction.
The impressive $3.9 billion resort in Ras Al Khaimah will cater to guests from across the globe and will be home to the UAE’s first-ever brick-and-mortar casino.
Wynn Resorts have secured the first commercial gaming licence in the UAE and will bring a modern gaming experience to the Middle East.
Besides the casino, there are luxury hotel facilities, 22 dining venues, a nightclub, beach clubs, world-class shopping and more.
This resort is one of many similar developments sprouting up across the Emirate. These are designed to attract international visitors which will boost the local economy.
These projects will drive tourism as the UAE bids to diversify the economy away from crude oil. The government will earn revenue from gaming taxes and licensing fees.
Wynn Al Marjan will be the blueprint for other gaming resorts to open in the UAE, creating a vibrant ecosystem to rival other popular gaming jurisdictions worldwide.
The New Regulatory Framework
The UAE has created the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to oversee all types of gaming, including casinos, online gaming, sports betting and lottery games.
The GCGRA has drawn up a new set of laws under which operators can apply for licences for land-based casinos, online gaming platforms and other gambling enterprises.
Wynn Resorts has already secured a gaming operator licence – a massive step that keeps their activities within the boundaries of the laws of the land.
The GCGRA is expected to enforce world-class, responsible gaming practices to protect customers and meet ethical gaming standards.
Online gaming will be closely monitored as the GCGRA establishes guidelines for online casinos, eSports betting and other digital gaming platforms.
The best online casinos in the UAE must obtain licences and operate within strict confines, mirroring what happens in other established gaming jurisdictions.
The GCGRA will continue finetuning the rule book to ensure the UAE stays competitive in the global gaming market.
The Rise of eSports
The UAE is also taking a keen interest in eSports in a bid to keep pace with other nations in the Middle East.
The country recently launched the eGaming League (EGL), which will debut in March 2025. The tournament is being organised by the Emirates eSports Federation alongside ITW Universe.
Six teams will compete across multiple game genres, including First-Person Shooter (FPS), Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), and Sports and Racing games.
The league has a franchise-based structure and is poised to make the UAE a centre for competitive gaming. There is a draft system for players in the amateur leagues to enter the global qualifiers and compete at the highest level.
These large-scale eSports tournaments in the UAE will attract international teams, fans and sponsors. They are also expected to draw massive audiences.
The UAE is keen on diversifying its economy, investing in technology and establishing itself as a centre for digital innovation, and each of these goals can be achieved with eSports.
The UAE has also invested heavily in gaming facilities and infrastructure while developing initiatives to grow eSports at the grassroots.
Professional gaming will play a central role in the UAE entertainment industry, creating opportunities for gamers, developers, content creators and the betting sector.
