Effect of Emerging Gambling Advancements in Dubai, UAE, on the Poker Sector
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a popular tourist destination for the past 25 years, with its investment in adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and luxury tourism. From desert safaris to surfing beaches, the UAE offers a wide variety of experiences for visitors from around the world.
However, when it comes to gambling, the UAE maintains a cautious approach, balancing modern entertainment developments with cultural and religious norms that prohibit gambling. As of 2025, land-based casinos and local online gambling remain prohibited in the UAE. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) enforces these restrictions, preventing local operations of gambling businesses[1].
Despite the ban on local gambling, there is a grey area regarding the legality of online casinos. Many Emirati players access foreign online casino sites licensed in jurisdictions such as Malta, Curacao, and Gibraltar. These offshore sites typically support crypto payments to ensure anonymity and privacy, as the UAE does not block access to international gambling providers[1].
The GCGRA, established in September 2023, is tasked with developing a way to legalize gambling in the UAE and will be responsible for licensing, regulation, and supervision of the industry[2]. The authority is likely to move forwards with fully legalizing online gambling before any other type of gambling[3].
The UAE's interest in attracting Western visitors is evident in its recent efforts. The country has balanced investment across hospitality industry sectors, allowing it to cater to tourists with varied interests and hobbies[4]. This is further demonstrated by the United Arab Emirates' more serious than ever before about attracting Western visitors, as shown by the latest Yas Island advertisements featuring Ryan Reynolds as the official island ambassador[5].
Luxury tourism is encouraged by the development of extensive, elite shopping centres like the Mall of the Emirates and the Sahara Centre. The country's amusement parks, such as Ferrari World, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Warner Bros. World, and Motiongate Dubai, are a major draw for visitors from around the world[6].
In a significant move, Wynn Resorts, the company behind casinos in Las Vegas, Macao, and Massachusetts, has won the first gaming license in the UAE[7]. The Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort, expected to open in early 2027, will be the first accepted proposal for a luxury resort casino in the UAE.
The likely impact on the poker industry by the legalization of online poker in the UAE will be a positive one. Poker is a popular game that flourishes even in locations where public gambling is illegal[8]. As the UAE continues to evolve its approach to gambling, it remains to be seen how the industry will develop and what impact it will have on the country's tourism sector.
References: 1. The Legal Status of Online Gambling in the UAE 2. GCGRA - General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority 3. GCGRA to Legalize Online Gambling in UAE 4. UAE Tourism: Balanced Investment Across Sectors 5. Yas Island Advertises with Ryan Reynolds 6. Amusement Parks in UAE: A Major Draw for Tourists 7. Wynn Resorts Wins First Gaming License in UAE 8. Positive Impact of Online Poker Legalization in UAE
- The introduction of casino-and-gambling establishments, such as the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, might signal a shift in the UAE's stance on gambling, given its traditional religious norms.
- As the GCGRA contemplates legalizing gambling in the UAE, fantasy sports, casino-games, and poker are likely to become more accessible to residents and tourists alike.
- Gambling trends worldwide suggest that the legalization of online gambling might precede land-based casinos, considering the administrative complexities involved in regulation and supervision.
- In light of the growing popularity of gambling, casino personalities from international circles might find the UAE an appealing destination, contributing to its tourism sector in novel ways.
