UAE Emerges as Potential Online Casino Market Amid Regulatory Shifts
The UAE, long constrained by Sharia law's gambling prohibitions, is showing signs of a strategic pivot. The establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in 2023 marks a deliberate step toward economic diversification, with Wynn Al Marjan Island's planned resort in Ras Al Khaimah serving as a physical manifestation of this shift.
Tourism-driven liberalization mirrors the Emirates' playbook for global relevance—seen in Formula 1 partnerships and football sponsorships. Yet the move into regulated gambling introduces a delicate balancing act: reconciling conservative cultural norms with ambitions to capture a share of the $100B+ global online casino industry.