The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is in charge of issuing licenses for the expanding gaming sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The body already granted Wynn Resorts the region’s first-ever casino license and approved The Game to run a national lottery. PayBy, Aristocrat, and SmartPlay International received supplier permits.

Speaking on Wednesday during the Skift Global Forum East, GCGRA Chairman Jim Murren said the regulator won’t rush issuing further licenses, acting “very deliberately.” The government wants the most modern, compliant, and strict regulatory regime to maintain standards across the board.

Wynn Resorts now has a head start over other casino companies

He referenced how Wynn Resorts now has a head start over other casino companies as it’s already developing a resort in Ras Al-Khaimah that will open in early 2027. He believes the project will bring tremendous economic benefit to the area and remarked on Wynn’s track record of being a “quality operator.”

When asked about comments from MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle recently about his optimism over receiving a license soon, Murren laughed, saying, “Bill used to work for me, so I’ll have to talk to Bill about that.”