UAE Gaming Market Expands with 17 Licensed Gaming Vendors at Start of 2026

The United Arab Emirates has established a diverse roster of 17 gaming-related vendor licensees as of early 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commercial gaming sector development. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority continues to build a comprehensive licensing framework that positions the UAE as an emerging global gaming hub.

The GCGRA, established in September 2023 as the UAE’s first federal gaming regulator, has implemented a selective licensing approach for gaming-related vendors, granting approval to established international suppliers across gaming equipment, technology solutions, and related services. This vendor licensing framework forms part of the broader regulatory infrastructure supporting the country’s emerging commercial gaming sector, which encompasses lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based gaming facilities.

Current Licensed Gaming Vendors

As of January 2026, the GCGRA has approved the following gaming-related vendor licensees:

Aristocrat Technologies Europe (Holdings) Ltd.

Aristocrat Technologies operates as one of the world’s largest slot machine manufacturers and gaming technology providers. The Australian-headquartered company, listed on the ASX, maintains operations across more than 300 jurisdictions globally and employs approximately 7,500 people worldwide. Aristocrat’s product portfolio includes electronic gaming machines, casino management systems, and digital gaming solutions. The company is recognized for brands including Lightning Link, Dragon Link, and its Oasis casino management system.

IGT Global Services Ltd.

International Game Technology PLC represents a multinational gaming technology leader headquartered in London with operations in Las Vegas, Providence, and Rome. Following its 2025 merger with Everi Holdings and subsequent acquisition by Apollo Global Management, IGT operates as a privately held global provider of gaming, digital, and financial technology solutions. The company serves customers across more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide with approximately 11,000 employees, delivering gaming machines, lottery systems, sports betting platforms, and digital casino content.

Official Website: www.igt.com

Scientific Games International Ltd. (Light & Wonder)

Operating under the Light & Wonder brand since its 2022 rebrand, this Las Vegas-based gaming supplier provides slot machines, table games, shuffling machines, and casino management systems. The company’s portfolio includes prominent brands such as Bally, WMS, and Shuffle Master. Light & Wonder maintains operations across six continents with approximately 6,500 employees globally, delivering both land-based and digital gaming solutions through its Gaming, Digital, and SciPlay divisions.

Official Website: www.lnw.com

Novomatic AG

Novomatic AG operates as one of Europe’s largest gaming technology groups, headquartered in Austria. The company produces gaming equipment, electronic casino gaming systems, and lottery solutions across integrated operations in more than 100 countries. Novomatic’s business segments include gaming technology, gaming operations, and sports betting, serving both land-based and digital gaming markets.

Official Website: www.novomatic.com

Konami Gaming, Inc.

Konami Gaming represents the gaming and systems division of the broader Konami Corporation, delivering casino gaming products and technology solutions to the global gaming industry. The Las Vegas-based operation specializes in slot machines, casino management systems, and gaming content, bringing the company’s entertainment heritage into regulated gaming markets worldwide.

Official Website: www.konamigaming.com

LNW Gaming, Inc.

LNW Gaming operates as a subsidiary of Light & Wonder, focusing on land-based casino gaming technology and systems. The entity provides slot machines, electronic table games, and casino management solutions to gaming operators across regulated markets.

Official Website: www.lnw.com

Sportradar AG

Sportradar AG delivers sports betting technology, data services, and integrity solutions to the global sports and betting industries. The Swiss-headquartered company operates across more than 80 countries, providing real-time sports data, odds services, risk management platforms, and audio-visual content to betting operators, sports federations, and media companies.

Official Website: www.sportradar.com

Hub 88 Holdings Ltd.

Hub 88 operates as a gaming content aggregation platform, providing casino operators access to game libraries from multiple suppliers through a single integration point. The platform facilitates distribution of slots, table games, and other casino content across regulated markets.

Official Website: www.hub88.io

TCS John Huxley Singapore PTE Ltd.

TCS John Huxley specializes in manufacturing casino gaming equipment and supplies, including table gaming products, electronic gaming systems, and casino furniture. The company serves land-based casino operators worldwide with products ranging from playing cards and dice to automated roulette wheels and electronic betting terminals.

Official Website: www.tcsjohnhuxley.com

Pollard Banknote Ltd.

Pollard Banknote operates as a lottery solutions provider based in Canada, supplying instant lottery tickets, digital gaming systems, and lottery management technology. The company serves lottery authorities and gaming operators across North America and internationally.

Official Website: www.pollardbanknote.com

Fennica Gaming Ltd.

Fennica Gaming provides gaming machines and casino equipment to regulated gaming markets, specializing in slot machines and electronic gaming solutions for casino operators.

Official Website: www.fennicagaming.com

Live Online Gaming Services LLC

Live Online Gaming Services delivers live dealer gaming technology and streaming solutions for online casino operators, providing real-time casino gaming experiences through video streaming technology.

EQL Games Inc.

EQL Games operates in the gaming technology sector, providing gaming products and services to regulated casino markets.

Random State AB

Random State AB specializes in gaming software development and technology solutions for casino operators across regulated jurisdictions.

Smartplay International Inc.

Smartplay International provides lottery gaming systems, draw equipment, and lottery management technology to lottery operators worldwide.

Official Website: www.smartplay.com

Xpoint Technology FZ LLC

Xpoint Technology operates as a gaming technology provider serving the regional gaming market with casino management and gaming systems.

Arena Leisure Ltd.

Arena Leisure, part of Arena Racing Company, has recently secured its Gaming-Related Vendor License from the GCGRA. The UK-based company operates across racing and gaming sectors, providing content and services to betting operators. Arena Leisure’s license enables the company to offer products and services directly to licensed gaming operators throughout the UAE market.

Official Website: www.arena-leisure.com

UAE Gaming Licensing Framework

The GCGRA’s vendor licensing represents one component of a comprehensive regulatory structure that includes licenses for gaming operators, lottery retailers, and key persons involved in commercial gaming activities. The regulatory authority has implemented stringent standards for integrity, accountability, and player protection across all licensing categories.

The vendor licensing process requires applicants to meet regulatory compliance standards, operational requirements, and integrity thresholds before receiving approval. The GCGRA evaluates vendor applications based on financial stability, regulatory history, technical capabilities, and commitment to responsible gaming principles.

As of early 2026, the GCGRA has issued approximately 19 licenses across all categories, including operator licenses for the UAE Lottery (The Game LLC), internet gaming and sports wagering (Coin Technology Projects LLC operating Play971), and land-based gaming facilities (Wynn Al Marjan in Ras Al Khaimah). The gaming-related vendor licenses represent the largest licensing category, reflecting the regulatory authority’s phased approach to market development.

The UAE gaming framework positions commercial gaming as a federally regulated activity, with the GCGRA maintaining exclusive jurisdiction across all seven emirates. The regulatory model emphasizes consumer protection, financial crime prevention, and responsible gaming standards across all licensed activities.

Engaging in commercial gaming activities without valid GCGRA licensing remains illegal under UAE law, with violations subject to criminal penalties. The regulatory authority has issued consumer advisories warning residents about unlicensed gambling operators and the legal consequences of participation in unauthorized gaming activities.

Market Positioning

The UAE gaming licensing regime has emerged as a significant development in the global gaming industry, representing the first federal gaming regulatory framework in the Gulf region. The jurisdiction’s combination of economic stability, favorable taxation policies, and strategic geographic location has attracted attention from international gaming suppliers seeking access to Middle Eastern markets.

Industry analysis suggests the UAE licensing opportunity carries substantial commercial value, particularly given the planned limitation on vendor licenses per emirate under the evolving regulatory framework. The scarcity model creates heightened competition among gaming suppliers for approved vendor status, with successful licensees positioned to serve the UAE’s future operator market exclusively.

The regulatory authority continues developing B2C operator regulations while maintaining its vendor licensing program. The measured approach allows the GCGRA to establish market infrastructure and compliance frameworks before expanding operator licensing beyond the current lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based resort categories.

For current licensing information and updates on approved licensees, gaming operators and vendors can access the GCGRA’s official registry at https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/licensing/our-licensees/.

The UAE gaming market development represents ongoing regulatory evolution, with additional vendor licenses and operator approvals expected throughout 2026 as the commercial gaming sector continues establishment across the federation.

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Source: General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority

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