Aristocrat Technologies Secures First-Ever Gaming Vendor License in UAE

Aristocrat Technologies celebrates a landmark development by becoming the first international slot and online technology company to receive a Gaming Related Vendor license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This milestone allows the Australia-based global gaming titan to provide brick-and-mortar electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online gaming solutions in the region. This is the latest development in the UAE’s efforts to invest in a regulated commercial gaming sector to diversify its economy. It also solidifies Aristocrat’s place as a leader in the global gaming market.

A New Gaming Era in the Middle East

Aristocrat Technologies received the coveted license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the official gaming license body in the UAE. The commission has been overseeing the commercial gaming sector in the region since September 2023. It recently issued the first national lottery license in the UAE in July, initiating the pursuit of gaming entertainment for economic diversification.

Speaking on the Aristocrat permit, the authority highlighted the importance of tapping into the gaming market while adhering to responsible regulation: “The license represents a pivotal step in the GCGRA’s efforts to develop a well-regulated commercial gaming sector in the UAE.”

A Benchmark for International Companies

Aristocrat’s entry into the UAE is predicted to kick-start a transformation in the UAE’s local gaming industry. Expectations are high for the company to deliver premium gaming hardware, content, and services that drive innovation and set a benchmark for future international companies that break into the market. Responsible gambling is also one of the company’s biggest priorities, and it states that it will align its interests with those of UAE players.

CEO of Gaming for Aristocrat, Hector Fernandez, expressed his enthusiasm for the newly acquired license, stating, “We are honored to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market.” He added, “At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house whenever, and whenever the world plays.”

Other Promising Developments

The UAE gaming sector continues to take shape beyond Aristocrat’s venture into the market. The GCGRA recently awarded the first-ever commercial gaming license to Wynn Resorts Ltd. to open the first integrated resorts (IR) in the region. Wynn Al Marjan Island, located in Ras Al Khaimah, is scheduled to open in 2027 with a vast range of gaming and non-gaming amenities that will redefine luxury tourism globally.