Legal Gaming in the UAE: What’s Actually Happening?
The UAE’s gaming landscape is transforming fast and it’s not just Vegas-style glitz. Here’s what’s unfolding, what it means for residents, and why this matters now more than ever.
Wynn Al Marjan Island
Set to open in Ras Al Khaimah by early 2027, is on track to become the UAE’s first legal casino. Behind the scenes, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is already laying the groundwork, approving frameworks for lotteries, prize draws, and more.
But this isn’t just a tourist sideshow, interest among UAE residents is sky-high. A recent survey by creative agency duke+mir, in partnership with YouGov, reveals that 1 in 4 UAE adults would consider checking out the country’s legal casino offerings.
Who Are duke+mir?
duke+mir are a creative consultancy who’ve worked with global names across media, culture, and tech. They’ve just dropped their ‘Gaming in the UAE’ spotlight report, one of the first deep dives into public opinion since the GCGRA was formed. Co-founder Jonathan Ivan-Duke even called the UAE “the biggest global opportunity in gaming since Singapore.”
So What Are People Actually Keen On?
Raffles & Prize Draws – A UAE favorite. Think Dubai Airport style gold bars and car giveaways. 46% of respondents are into it.
Lottery – Over a third of adults say they’d play. That’s on par with the UK’s National Lottery engagement.
Sports Betting – 23% would bet on sports, either in-person or online. And with the Dubai World Cup already drawing $40M+ international bets, imagine the impact of legal local sportsbooks.
Card Games (hello, poker) – 19% showed interest in skill-based games. That’s a big number and a strong signal that poker is coming into the spotlight.
Bingo – Yes, even bingo made the cut, especially among women (21% of female residents said yes please).
Age Breakdown
18–24s? They’re all about sports betting (33%).
45+? Big fans of raffles and prize draws (62%).
Poker/Card games? Spread fairly evenly but still promising for future tournaments, cash games.
Big Picture Predictions (and Why They Matter)
Lotteries & Raffles are your gateway drugs. They’re simple, legal, and already here. Expect these to expand fast.
Global sports betting giants are circling. Think brick-and-mortar sportsbooks inside hotels, at racecourses, or even at golf and tennis events.
Crypto meets compliance. With the UAE’s advanced digital frameworks, expect identity verification and crypto-enabled gaming to go mainstream.
Gaming will turbocharge tourism. RAK is expecting 3.5M tourists by 2030, largely off the back of Wynn’s opening. That’s the “Vegas Effect” done UAE-style.
Poker’s Quiet Rise
The poker number in the survey is especially interesting: 19% interest is no small feat in a region that hasn’t openly embraced card games until now. With skill-based games falling under regulated “internet gaming,” this could open the door to licensed poker rooms, tournaments, and even online poker platforms which will be all above board.
If you’re a card shark, the next couple of years could be a game changer.
Sports Betting – Ready to Go?
Horse racing is the obvious gateway, already drawing international betting pools. But with 23% of residents showing interest, golf, football, tennis, and combat sports could all become part of the live betting ecosystem. Imagine walking into a venue and watching Man City v Real Madrid with a legal slip in your hand or on your phone. But at UAE Playbook we low key want old school slips to for nostalgia!
Don’t Go Rogue
While legal options are emerging, illegal gaming still carries real risks and highly illegal:
Consumers: No legal recourse, fraud risks, potential penalties.
Operators/Vendors: Fines, blacklisting, and reputational damage.
Stick with GCGRA regulated outlets and yes, the UAE is setting these up fast. We know the temptation might be there as things loosen up, but we please ask that you respect local laws and wait this one out. Trust us, it will be worth it.
Want to Be Part of It?…
We’re building a UAE based community focused on safe, fun, and smart participation in this new gaming landscape. Whether you’re into poker nights, casino trips, or just curious about where things are heading, we want residents involved. With power in interested numbers, this will give the UAE Playbook a chance to approach vendors about offers, comp stays, free play, and other loyalty bonuses. Sign up to the movement and lets get you a seat at the table: Your seat at the table for offers, free stays and more here
Statistics and article inspiration: https://gulfbusiness.com