Aristocrat Enters UAE Market Via Historical License

Global entertainment and gaming content creation company, Aristocrat Gaming, announced on Monday that it has become the first international slot and online technology company to receive a gaming-related vendor license from the regulatory body that oversees commercial gaming activities throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). 

The significant development enables the company that is “powered by technology and focused on sustainability” to supply its land-based electronic gaming machines as well as online games and technology solutions to licensed commercial gaming operators in the region.

The decision is even more important amid Morgan Stanley’s report at the end of last month that revealed that casino resorts in the UAE could rival Singapore, generating gross gaming revenue of between $3 and $5 billion.

Crucial Step for GCGRA

The issuance of the license is, therefore, a pivotal step in the GCGRA’s efforts to create a well-regulated commercial gaming sector within the UAE market. 

By granting it, the GCGRA aims to establish a framework that supports responsible gaming while promoting a diverse and vibrant gaming environment.

“We are honored to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market,” stated Aristocrat’s chief executive officer, Hector Fernandez. 

The CEO further reiterated their vision “to deliver the best seat in the house wherever, and whenever the world plays” while eagerly anticipating the “premium content: they will provide to UAE players while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay.”

Paving the Way for More Providers to Enter the UAE

Under the Gaming Related Vendor License category, Aristocrat will become the pioneering supplier to operate within this framework established by the GCGRA, successfully paving the way for future international technology providers looking to follow suit and access the UAE gaming market.

Aristocrat plans to provide a range of innovative gaming content including online platforms tailored to meet the unique tastes of players in the UAE market, along with hardware and services designed to cater to various player interests and financial preferences. 

This approach will not only enhance the player experience but will also align with the GCGRA’s commitment to promoting responsible gaming practices, two essential factors that convinced the authority formed just over a year ago to grant the license. 

The gaming company, which recently reached a settlement in an Intelectual Property-related dispute with a former employee, also hopes to attract international visitors seeking premium gaming experiences with its approach.

Regional Growth Underway

The GCGRA, led by MGM Resorts’s ex-chief executive officer, Jim Murren, and having Missouri-based gaming regulator Kevin Mullally as chief executive officer, has been busy issuing gaming licenses. 

The authority has recently awarded Wynn Resorts as the first Commercial Gaming Facility Operator in the region. 

Wynn’s $5.1 billion casino project on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah underscores the UAE’s goal to expand its regulated gaming sector, which aims to attract tourism and enhance the economy.

RAK Hospitality, the developer of the Wynn project, anticipates that the integrated resort will open by early 2027, further elevating the UAE’s tourism sector with its luxury gaming facilities.

As Aristocrat further expands its footprint in the UAE, which has taken a cautious yet progressive stance on gaming regulation, the gaming company is poised to contribute significantly to the growth of the region’s gaming industry. 

Last week, we reported on the partnership inked between Aristocrat Gaming and Princess Cruises in a desire to provide travelers with additional gaming experiences.