Exclusive: Play 971 becomes first licensed iGaming site in the UAE

Summary

Play 971 has gone live in the UAE and bills itself as the first fully licensed, regulated iGaming site in the country under a licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The site, operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC and linked to The Game LLC (the business behind the UAE Lottery), appeared available in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al-Khaimah but not Dubai at the time of reporting. The GCGRA has yet to list Play 971 among its internet gaming or sports wagering licensees, suggesting a possible staged or trial rollout.

Several game suppliers featured on Play 971’s homepage are not yet visible on the regulator’s public license list, though licences may be pending or recently approved. Momentum LLC — the group behind the UAE Lottery and linked businesses — appears central to the rollout, with broader ambitions in publishing, mixed reality and esports. The launch follows leadership changes at the GCGRA, where founding CEO Kevin Mullally stepped down and chairman Jim Murren became interim head. An official wider launch is rumoured for Q1 2026.

Key Points

Play 971 claims to be the UAE’s first licensed iGaming site under the GCGRA.
The site is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC and linked to The Game LLC, which runs the UAE Lottery.
Availability seemed limited (Abu Dhabi and Ras Al-Khaimah) and the GCGRA has not yet publicly listed the operator.
Several content suppliers on the site are not yet shown on the regulator’s licence list, indicating a phased rollout or pending approvals.
Regulations may permit one online licence per emirate, so up to seven operators could eventually enter the market if each emirate endorses online gaming.
The UAE population is c.88% expatriates, creating a sizeable addressable market despite gambling restrictions for Emirati nationals.
The move comes amid Momentum’s expansion plans and GCGRA leadership changes following Kevin Mullally’s departure.

Context and relevance

This development is a watershed moment for regulated gambling in the UAE — it marks the expansion from lottery-only legal products into online sports betting, racing and iCasino under a formal regulatory regime. For suppliers, operators and investors it signals new market access and regulatory precedent in the Gulf. For regulators and incumbents, the staged nature of the rollout, supplier licensing visibility and the ‘one licence per emirate’ interpretation are key items to monitor. The sizeable expatriate population makes the market commercially interesting, but operator growth will depend on emirate-level adoption and further clarity from the GCGRA.

Author style

Punchy: this is a major industry milestone — first movers, regulator signalling and Momentum’s ambitions all matter. Read the detail if you work in licensing, supplier strategy or regional expansion; it could change competitive dynamics across the Middle East.

Why should I read this?

Short answer: because this could be the start of proper regulated online gambling in the UAE. If you care about new markets, supplier opportunities or regulatory plays in the Middle East, this saves you the legwork — we’ve pulled the essentials so you know who’s involved, where it’s available and what to watch next.

Source

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/gaming/online-casino/play-971-first-licensed-igaming-site-uae/