Emirates Draw’s X account and website are currently inaccessible in the UAE due to a legal demand. The X platform usually withholds accounts in response to a legal requirement such as a court order, stating that some accounts are withheld following a “valid and properly scoped request from an authorised entity.”
According to a Khaleej Times report, this development comes just days after an Abu Dhabi-based company, The Game LLC, was awarded the license to operate the UAE’s first authorised lottery under the name ‘UAE Lottery.’ The types of games The Game LLC will offer have not yet been disclosed.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) emphasized that any commercial gaming activities without a valid license are unlawful and will result in legal action, including criminal penalties. Participation in activities from unlicensed operators, either online or at physical venues, is illegal and could lead to severe penalties.
Earlier this year, raffle draw operators like Emirates Draw and Mahzooz halted their UAE operations in compliance with GCGRA directives. Mahzooz had acknowledged that only one national lottery operator would be authorized in the UAE. Despite not receiving the license, Ewings, which operates Mahzooz, expressed respect for the selection process and the government’s commitment to industry standards, hinting at future ventures.
The GCGRA, established in September last year, is an independent executive entity within the UAE federal government. It regulates, licenses, and supervises all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the country. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the authority comprises experts in various fields including commercial gaming regulation, financial crime prevention, and responsible gaming.