UAE Selects Company to Manage Lotteries

The General Authority for Commercial Gaming Regulation (GCGRA) has appointed Game LLC to oversee the inaugural national lottery in the United Arab Emirates. According to the GCGRA, Game LLC will provide a variety of lottery games and products that cater to the diverse interests and financial preferences of players.

Jim Murren, Chairman of the Authority, emphasised that the launch of the UAE lottery represents "a significant milestone," highlighting the establishment of a comprehensive, world-class regulatory framework for such activities and reaffirming the GCGRA's dedication to fostering a safe gaming environment in the UAE.

It is important to note that Game LLC is the first company to receive a licence from the GCGRA, which was created as the UAE's federal regulatory body in September of last year. However, there is limited information available about the company online. Reports suggest that it is a subsidiary of Momentum (Abu Dhabi), a firm that claims expertise in developing and publishing mobile games, virtual reality, iGaming, and eSports management. To date, the company has not issued any statements regarding the licence, and it remains uncertain when the lottery will officially debut in the UAE.

The rules governing the lottery have not yet been released, but rumours indicate that payout rates could range from 40% to 60% of ticket sales, with expected taxes on revenues at a “notable single-digit figure.” Interestingly, the two most prominent lottery operators in the UAE, Emirates Draw and Mahzooz, were notably not selected to manage the national lottery.