Pollard Banknote Receives GCGRA Approval to Supply Gaming in the UAE

Pollard Banknote Limited has obtained formal licensing from the UAE's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to operate as a gaming-related vendor. This marks its first expansion into the emerging Middle Eastern regulated gambling sector.

The authorization enables Pollard Banknote to supply lottery products and technical services to licensed operators across the UAE. Doug Pollard, Co-CEO of the lottery company, expressed enthusiasm in an official release, stating, "We are very excited for the wide variety of opportunities this license will afford." He emphasized plans to deploy the company's gaming solutions to boost revenue and support charitable causes through local partnerships.

Expanding Lottery Solutions

The newly granted license enables Pollard Banknote to deploy its international expertise in lottery systems in the UAE, honed through decades of servicing regulated markets. The company intends to leverage subsidiaries like:

• Schafer Retail Solutions+, known for retail display systems that boost ticket visibility
• American Games/International Gamco, which creates lottery products tailored for convenience stores and unconventional retail spaces
• iLottery services that combine game apps with player retention strategies

This authorization bridges Pollard's hybrid model of physical instant tickets and digital gaming platforms to a market establishing its regulatory framework. The company intends to capitalize on the UAE's structured approach to gaming, allowing it to replicate strategies that have driven revenue growth for operators in over 30 countries through print, digital, and retail solutions.

Global Expertise

Pollard Banknote strengthens its position as a key global lottery operator with the new GCGRA license. It currently supports over 60 international lotteries through innovative instant games, retail merchandising systems, and digital engagement platforms.

With operations dating to 1907, the company extends its gaming portfolio through pull-tab tickets, bingo supplies, and electronic gaming devices through subsidiaries like Diamond Game. The firm is majority-owned by the Pollard Family (64%), while public shareholders hold the rest.

UAE Sector Growth

The UAE's regulated lottery framework, operational since 2024, continues to draw major industry titans. Pollard Banknote becomes the latest authorized vendor alongside established names like Scientific Games and Novomatic. Light & Wonder and Konami were also added to the GCGRA's approved list recently, bringing the total to 14 firms.

The growth aligns with the UAE's commitment to international standards. Concurrently, the Emirates' land-based gaming infrastructure continues to expand, highlighted by Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort and Hard Rock's Ras Al Khaimah project.