The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established ‘General Commercial Gaming Authority” to regulate the gaming industry, potentially making it the first Gulf state to legalize casinos. The new authority aims to create a leading regulatory framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming.
The new authority is being set up to introduce a “world-leading regulatory framework” for a national lottery and commercial gaming, state media reported late on Sunday. The move comes about a month after Wynn Resorts Ltd., which is building a $3.9 billion gaming resort in the UAE, said it expects to “soon” obtain a licence. The regulator’s board will be chaired by Jim Murren, the former chief executive officer of MGM Resorts International, WAM said. Kevin Mullally, who has close to three decades of experience in the gaming industry, will be the chief executive officer of the new entity, which will coordinate regulatory activities and manage licensing nationally.