The United Arab Emirates has taken a historic step by allowing legal online betting through licensed platforms. This marks a clear change in the country’s long-standing position on gambling. For the first time, residents and visitors can bet real money online under a federal regulatory framework. This framework aims to control access and protect consumers.
Play971 Debuts as UAE’s First Regulated Sports and Casino Betting Site
Play971 stands at the heart of this change. It is the first internet gaming and sports betting website approved by the country’s federal regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. The platform started operating earlier this week without a formal public announcement, reported The New Arab. This suggests a careful rollout instead of a big launch.
Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company, runs Play971. The site lets users 21 and older place bets on worldwide sports events, like football, cricket, and horse racing. It also offers casino games such as blackjack and roulette. Only people located inside the UAE can use the website, which blocks VPNs to enforce this location rule.
The regulator’s go-ahead puts Play971 in both internet gaming and sports betting license groups. This makes it the UAE’s first legal online betting service for real money. Some in the industry say the website might have run a small test before opening. This fits with how the regulator likes to roll things out bit by bit.
Strict Controls and Player Protection Shape UAE’s Gaming Shift
The system has strong safeguards built in. Players need to prove who they are with their Emirates ID and can use personal bank accounts in their own name to pay. People from the UAE might have extra rules to follow, depending on where they live. This shows how the UAE allows local areas to have some authority and control.
Responsible gaming is a big part of the new rules. Play971 gives players ways to limit how much money they put in, take forced breaks, or stop playing for a long time. The platform also shows players where to get help regarding mental health and counseling. This shows that officials worry about gambling problems as they open up the market.
This change is part of a bigger shift in how the UAE handles commercial gaming. In 2024, the country started its first regulated national lottery. They are also getting ready to open the UAE’s first casino resort with a hotel at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn Resorts is leading this project, set to open in 2027.
Market experts see the start of legal online betting as another hint that the UAE wants to control and watch over gambling instead of banning it outright. Gambling is still against the law outside the licensed system. However, the careful launch of platforms like Play971 shows the country is building a transparent and regulated gaming industry. They aim to cut down on illegal activities while keeping customers safe.