The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has clarified that only three operators are authorised to conduct lottery and related activities in the UAE. According to a report by Khaleej Times, the sole national lottery licence has been granted to The Game, LLC, operating as The UAE Lottery, under the GCGRA’s regulatory framework.
In addition, two preexisting operators, Big Ticket and Dubai Duty Free, have been permitted to continue their longstanding operations, which have been running for nearly three decades. The GCGRA has mandated all other preexisting lotteries to cease activities.
The announcement coincided with a consumer advisory issued by the GCGRA, warning residents against engaging with unlicensed lottery and commercial gaming operators. The authority highlighted risks such as financial losses, fraud, data theft, and potential legal repercussions.
The UAE’s first national lottery, launched in November, features a jackpot of Dh100 million, with its inaugural draw set for December 14. Big Ticket at Abu Dhabi International Airport has a Dh30 million prize draw scheduled for January 2025, while Dubai Duty Free offers a chance to win $1 million with a “one-in-5,000” odds.
Operators like Emirates Draw and Mahzooz have halted their UAE activities as of January 1, 2024, after their applications for a national lottery licence were unsuccessful.
The GCGRA emphasized that unlicensed gaming is illegal for both operators and participants and urged residents to verify the legitimacy of operators before engaging.
