• UAE issues first official license for online gaming and sports wagering, marking a milestone in the country’s commercial gaming sector.
• Play971, operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, is licensed under both internet gaming and sports wagering categories by the GCGRA.
• The platform enforces age, location, and financial eligibility rules aiming to ensure responsible gaming through safeguards and support tools for users.

Wagering

The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has licensed its first internet gaming and sports wagering website. Moreover, overall this is the 19th licence issued by the GCGRA since the federal regulator was established in September 2023. 

The platform is called Play971 and it states on its website that  it is located, licensed and regulated in the UAE and operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC. On the GCRA website, Coin Technology Projects LLC is officially listed as a licensee under both the ‘Internet Gaming’ and ‘Sports Wagering’ categories.

According to Play971’s terms and conditions, users must be at least 21 years old and physically located within the UAE to register, deposit funds or play games. Additionally, the use of virtual private networks or other methods to conceal location or identity is prohibited. The platform also outlines financial eligibility requirements for registration and includes provisions aiming to foster responsible gaming. 

Commercial Gaming

 THE GCGRA identifies commercial gaming as any game of chance, or combination of chance and skill, where an amount of money, in cash or cash equivalents, is wagered. This essentially means money placed as a bet for the purpose of winning a sum of money or other valuable items. It further identifies commercial gaming activities in the UAE, including lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based gaming facilities.

It also encompasses gaming machines, internet gaming, electronic skill-based games, and lottery games. Additionally, it includes event wagering, including bets placed on certain events such as sporting events or horse racing.