Scientific Games has officially been authorized as a lottery supplier in the United Arab Emirates by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This federal body, established in 2023, regulates all commercial gaming within the UAE, covering lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based casinos, with a focus on integrity, innovation, and responsible operations.
With an established global footprint, Scientific Games currently operates in 50 countries across five continents and serves over 150 lotteries worldwide. Its UAE licensing marks the company’s entry into the growing Middle Eastern gaming market, joining notable competitors such as Aristocrat and IGT. Novomatic has also obtained a supplier license but for land-based gaming products.
The UAE currently hosts only one regulated lottery operator, The Game LLC, which launched the UAE Lottery in November 2024. Recently, the operator expanded its portfolio by introducing four scratch card games with prizes reaching AED 1 million (approximately $270,000).
Michael Conforti, President of International Business at Scientific Games, expressed enthusiasm about the license: “We look forward to putting our more than 50 years of expertise to work in the UAE to offer high-performing products that will responsibly help drive revenue for lottery programs supporting local communities and projects of national importance.”
Growing Global Partnerships and UAE Market Potential
Scientific Games has recently broadened partnerships with major lotteries such as those in Florida, New Mexico, and Lotería Electrónica. The UAE’s burgeoning gaming sector, with regulatory openness to online gaming and strong international tourism, has sparked speculation about its potential to rival established hubs like Macau.
The country’s strategic location and evolving regulatory framework offer fertile ground for further expansion in commercial gaming, making Scientific Games’ license a significant milestone in its global growth strategy.
Source:
Scientific Games Granted License from UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, scientificgames.com, May 27, 2025