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The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) new gambling regulator has suspended part of the federation’s de facto lottery market without explanation, although recent prize winners are reportedly able to collect winnings.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) ordered a “pause” to raffle and prize draw operations effective on Monday (January 1), although operators are continuing to sell tickets online to foreign customers and at the nation’s airports, the National newspaper reported this week.
The GCGRA is yet to announce why the suspension was ordered or when it will be lifted.
Confirmation of the partial shutdown instead came from UAE operators such as Emirates Draw.
Emirates Draw announced via Facebook on Monday that “we’ve temporarily paused our activities from January 1st, 2024, to enhance your gaming experience in line with the latest directives” from the GCGRA “with the aim to establish a well-regulated gaming environment in the UAE”.
Another operator, Mahzooz, said on its webpage that the suspension is the result of an “industry-wide mandate consistent with the guidance and directives of the regulators”.
“We consider this pause as an opportunity to implement further enhancements to our platform.”
The companies said account withdrawals and payouts of prizes will be allowed during the suspension. The market now pays out prizes of up to 200m dirhams ($54m).
“We are very pleased with the introduction of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, assuring all our customers that we will be showing a duty of care towards the protection of all their prize awards outstanding,” the National quoted Emirates Draw head of commercial operations Paul Chader as saying.
The daily added that lottery tickets were still being sold at Abu Dhabi International Airport and one other UAE airport, citing spokespeople with operators Big Ticket and Dubai Duty Free.
The GRGCA’s formation in or before September last year attracted global industry attention because of the government commitment to a regulated land-based casino market that it entailed.
With former Missouri gambling regulator Kevin Mullaly as CEO and former MGM Resorts International boss Jim Murren chairing the board, the GCGRA suggests a regulatory operation with a global outlook and respect for industry expertise.
Announcing the regulator’s creation, the UAE’s official news agency said the GCGRA’s mandate is to “introduce a world-leading regulatory framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming”.
However, the GCGRA’s operations have to date been opaque, with no public face or media presence.
