The United Arab Emirates has reached a historic milestone in its commercial gaming journey with the launch of its first fully licensed online sports wagering and iGaming platform. The move marks the official entry of regulated online betting into the UAE, under the supervision of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), and signals the next phase of the country’s carefully controlled gaming framework.

Play971 Goes Live Under GCGRA Licence

Play971 is the first authorised real-money online sports betting and iGaming website to operate legally in the UAE. The platform is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company headquartered at Twofour54 Yas Creative Hub.

Coin Technology Projects LLC is officially listed by the GCGRA as a licensee under both the Internet Gaming and Sports Wagering categories, making Play971 the country’s inaugural regulated online gaming operator.

Strict Access and Eligibility Rules

Access to Play971 is limited to users aged 21 and over who are physically located within the UAE. The platform enforces geolocation controls and explicitly prohibits the use of VPNs or other tools designed to mask location or identity. Any breach of these rules may result in forfeited winnings and regulatory action.

Certain “sensitive geographic areas,” as defined by the GCGRA, are excluded from access, even for otherwise eligible users.

Games and Betting Markets Offered

Play971 offers a range of online casino games and sports wagering markets, including:

- Casino games such as blackjack, roulette and slots

- Sports betting on football, cricket, tennis, basketball and horse racing

- Coverage of both international and regional sporting events

The GCGRA defines internet gaming as encompassing games of chance, skill or mixed formats, including casino games, esports, fantasy games and peer-to-peer products.

KYC, Payments and Responsible Gaming

User verification is conducted through Emirates ID only, in line with UAE regulatory standards. Passports and driving licences are not accepted. Payment cards must be linked to a personal UAE bank account in the same name as the registered user.

Play971 has implemented responsible gaming tools including deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion options, with exclusions lasting a minimum of six months. The platform also directs users to external support services such as Takalam and enforces strict safeguards against underage play.

A Key Step in the UAE’s Gaming Framework

The licence issued to Coin Technology Projects LLC is the 19th granted by the GCGRA since its establishment in 2023. Previous approvals include the UAE Lottery operator The Game LLC and Wynn Resorts’ land-based integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open in 2027.

The GCGRA remains the sole federal authority overseeing all commercial gaming activities in the UAE, including lotteries, online gaming, sports wagering and land-based resorts. Any unlicensed gaming activity remains illegal, with penalties applying to both operators and participants.

The launch of Play971 confirms that regulated online gaming is now live in the UAE, under one of the world’s most tightly controlled regulatory models.

Sources: SiGMA, Gulf News, TRIX20