The United Arab Emirates’ first licensed online gaming operator has completed its move from supervised trial to full public service, giving residents of participating emirates a legal way to bet on sport and play casino games online for the first time.

Play971, operated by Abu Dhabi-based Coin Technology Projects LLC, launched publicly on 5 June 2026 under internet gaming and sports wagering licences issued by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for commercial gaming in the UAE. The launch followed a field trial that began in late November 2025 and was initially limited to users in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

The Play971 launch was timed to precede the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which the operator opened markets including match result, total goals and both teams to score.

The product

The platform offers fixed-odds sports wagering across football, including the UAE Pro League and major European competitions, as well as horse racing, cricket, tennis, basketball, baseball and ice hockey. Its online casino includes slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker and bingo. Live dealer tables are broadcast from a GCGRA-licensed studio in Abu Dhabi.

"The UAE is home to some of the most passionate and engaged sports fans in the world," said Philippa Bowland, Commercial Director for iGaming at Play971, at the time of launch. "For the first time, a locally rooted platform like Play971 adds a new layer to the sports experience, making it possible for fans to play sustainably."

Regulatory background

The GCGRA was established in 2023 to license and supervise all forms of commercial gaming across the UAE. It issued its first licence to The Game LLC, operator of the UAE Lottery, in 2024, and has since approved a number of international suppliers including Sportradar, Aristocrat, TCSJohnHuxley and Yolo Group.

Coin Technology Projects LLC and The Game LLC share a registered address and both form part of the Momentum group, an Abu Dhabi-based entertainment company. Jim Murren, the former chairman and chief executive of MGM Resorts International, has chaired the GCGRA since its inception; founding chief executive Kevin Mullally, previously of the Missouri Gaming Commission, stepped down in November 2025.

The GCGRA maintains a public register of licensed operators. As of publication, Play971 is the only online gaming brand listed, making it the first legal casino in the UAE to operate online and the only GCGRA licensed operator in the online segment.

Availability and eligibility

Under the UAE’s two-tier framework, federal licensing coexists with emirate-level participation, and the current rules provide for a single online licence per emirate. Play971 is available only inside the UAE and is not accessible in Dubai. Users in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have confirmed access.

Registration is restricted to individuals aged 21 and over and requires an Emirates ID, a UAE mobile number and a residential address. Access is enforced through device-level geolocation supplied by Xpoint, with VPN and proxy connections blocked. Accounts are denominated in UAE dirhams; the platform does not accept cryptocurrency.

Licence conditions require the operator to maintain responsible gaming measures, including deposit limits, session reminders, time-outs and self-exclusion, alongside player protection controls and anti-money-laundering procedures in line with GCGRA standards.

Responsible gaming

The operator’s account settings include deposit limits, session reminders, time-outs and self-exclusion, all of which are conditions of the GCGRA licence. Because registration is tied to the Emirates ID, self-exclusion is enforceable across the platform. The GCGRA has stated that licensed operators are expected to monitor for patterns of harmful play and intervene where appropriate.

Technology partners

Play971’s content and infrastructure are supplied by established international vendors. OneTouch is the principal slots provider, Evolution supplies live casino content, Sportradar provides sports data and integrity services, and Xpoint delivers geolocation compliance.

Wider market

The launch of UAE licensed online betting is one component of a broader build-out of the country’s regulated gaming sector. Wynn Resorts is constructing an integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open in 2027 and expected to house the UAE’s first land-based casino. Industry observers anticipate that additional emirates may issue online licences in due course, though no such announcements have been made.

The operator has indicated that expanded horse racing markets are among its early product priorities.

Market context

The UAE’s move to a regulated online gaming market follows a pattern seen in other jurisdictions that have opened over the past decade, in which a federal or national regulator sets standards and a small number of licensed operators replace an unregulated offshore market. Industry analysts have noted that the UAE’s resident population, its high smartphone penetration and its established sports culture, particularly around football, cricket and horse racing, make it a significant market, with the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix among the sporting events likely to drive seasonal demand.

The framework’s emirate-by-emirate structure means market size will depend on which emirates opt in. Dubai’s position remains the most significant open question for the sector.

Consumer guidance

The GCGRA advises residents to verify that any gaming operator is listed on its public register before registering or depositing. Unlicensed operators are not subject to UAE consumer protection, responsible gaming or anti-money-laundering requirements. Residents can identify the licensed platform by its operating company, Coin Technology Projects LLC, its dirham-only accounts, its Emirates ID verification at registration and its geofencing of non-participating emirates.

Product roadmap

Beyond racing, the operator has indicated that market depth on football and cricket will continue to expand through the 2026–27 season, and that live casino table capacity at the Abu Dhabi studio will scale with demand. Promotions are published on the platform’s own site and are subject to the GCGRA’s requirements on clear terms.

How residents can access the platform

Eligible residents can register directly through play971.ae by creating an account, completing Emirates ID verification, confirming their address and enabling precise location services on their device. The operator advises new users to set a deposit limit in the account’s responsible gaming settings before making a first deposit.

This report was compiled from public statements, regulatory records and press coverage. It does not constitute an endorsement of any gaming product. Gambling in the UAE is restricted to adults aged 21 and over and is not available in every emirate.