The United Arab Emirates appears to have its first online gambling operator partially up and running in the form of Play 971.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has added Coin Technology Projects to its listing of licensees, where it currently stands alone in the 'Internet Gaming' and 'Sports Wagering' categories.
These licences allow the company to offer online gaming and betting in the country, which has been gearing up to launch a tightly controlled online B2C market.
A system by which one online B2C licence would be granted for each of the seven emirates has been floated, with 16 supplier licences already having been handed out.
Coin Technology Projects is based out of Abu Dhabi and has a stated mission of "reimagining iGaming in the region" through the localisation of its offering.
The site is inaccessible outside of the UAE, making it unclear as to whether the site is yet fully operational as a gaming platform - a more comprehensive launch is expected in the new year.
When it happens, it will represent a major step forward in the development of the UAE's gambling ecosystem, which has been edging towards opening up over past months.
There is still only one licence holder for land-based gambling in the country - this relates to the under-construction Wynn Al Marjan casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Latest reports from Wynn indicate the tower has reached the 70th floor and is close to topping out.
It is expected to reach its full height in late November 2025 and open in Spring 2027.
The GCGRA has not, as yet, made comment on the Play 971 launch, though the body did announce the departure of CEO Kevin Mullally earlier this month.
He has been replaced by Chairman Jim Murren on an interim basis, effective immediately.
Light and Wonder, Aristocrat and Novomatic are among the big-name suppliers with approved vendor licences in the UAE
