The United Arab Emirates has officially launched its first licensed online gaming platform, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s regulated gaming industry.

The platform, known as Play971, has been approved by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for overseeing commercial gaming activities across the country.

The approval represents the first time a fully licensed online gaming and sports prediction operator has been authorized under the UAE’s evolving regulatory framework.

UAE’s New Gaming Phase

The GCGRA was established in September 2023 to create and oversee a national framework covering lotteries, internet gaming, sports prediction products, and integrated gaming resorts.

Since its formation, the regulator has gradually introduced licensing requirements designed to promote consumer protection, responsible gaming, and regulatory oversight.

Play971 is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company listed under both the Internet Gaming and Sports Prediction licence categories.

Industry observers view the approval as a strong signal that the UAE is steadily advancing a tightly regulated gaming ecosystem under federal supervision.

Products Available on the Platform

According to the GCGRA, internet gaming includes online activities conducted through websites and mobile applications involving chance, skill, or a combination of both.

Examples include bingo, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slots, fantasy sports, esports competitions, peer-to-peer games, and skill-based gaming products.

The Sports Prediction category allows licensed participation related to sporting events and athlete performances, covering football, cricket, basketball, tennis, horse racing, and other recognized sports.

The launch therefore introduces both sports prediction services and online gaming products within a regulated environment for eligible users in the UAE.

Requirements for Users

The platform operates under several regulatory requirements.

Users must be at least 21 years old and physically located within the UAE to create accounts, deposit funds, or participate in platform activities.

The platform also prohibits the use of VPNs or other tools intended to conceal user identity or location.

In addition, access may be restricted in specific geographic areas identified by the regulator.

According to the company, responsible gaming tools, user protection measures, age-verification systems, and support services have been integrated into the platform.

The GCGRA has repeatedly emphasized that only licensed operators may legally conduct commercial gaming activities in the UAE.

UAE’s Broader Gaming Strategy

The approval of Play971 forms part of the UAE’s broader strategy to develop a regulated gaming industry.

Previous approvals include The Game LLC, operator of the UAE Lottery, as well as Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is developing the region’s first integrated gaming resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

A growing number of gaming-related technology and service providers have also received regulatory approval.

Industry analysts view the launch as another milestone in the UAE’s carefully managed approach toward gaming market development.

Rather than rapidly opening the sector, regulators have adopted a phased strategy centered on licensing, compliance, oversight, and responsible gaming standards.

For the UAE, the launch of Play971 represents more than the introduction of a new platform. It reflects the continued development of a regulated industry that did not formally exist within the country’s federal framework only a few years ago.