UAE Online Casino Rules Explained | Momentum’s Licensed Role

The UAE is not openly legalizing online casinos nationwide, but it has taken a measured step by allowing one licensed company, Momentum , to conduct certain digital gaming activities under strict regulation. This guide explains what exactly has changed in online gaming rules in the UAE, what activities are permitted, who can operate under the licence, and what it does not mean for ordinary players.

Has the UAE Legalized Online Casinos?

Spend a few minutes on TrueWin or Dream Island and you’ll see the full range of UAE online casino and betting products, live dealer rooms, roulette, poker, slots, plus lines on major sports like football, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more.

The catch is that there’s still no published legislation that clearly allows or regulates online gambling. Momentum has legal permission to run the national lottery, but these two new platforms don’t yet show any licensing references from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body set up in late 2023 to oversee the sector.

The domain history adds another layer. TrueWin.ae was registered in early 2023, months before the GCGRA existed. Dream Island’s domain goes back to 2020. That timeline suggests the groundwork for both platforms was laid long before the UAE publicly began shaping its regulatory structure.

This acceleration comes at a moment when everyone, from analysts to operators, is waiting to see how far the UAE will go in formalizing gaming laws. Nothing official has been issued yet, but expectations are high.

Industry estimates shared with AGBI suggest that regulated gambling could eventually contribute about 1.3 percent of the UAE’s GDP, roughly US$6.6 billion. That would put the country ahead of established gaming hubs like Singapore.

There’s also the Wynn Resorts project in Ras Al Khaimah, a multibillion-dollar integrated resort that is widely expected to house the UAE’s first on-site casino. Alongside that, the GCGRA has started approving supplier licenses for major global brands such as Aristocrat, Light & Wonder, IGT, Konami, and Sportradar. Another operator, Coin Technology Projects LLC, is also listed with an online platform called Play 971. People inside the industry have linked this entity to Momentum as well, pointing to a broader ecosystem that’s beginning to take shape.

Reports from Vixio GamblingCompliance hint at a possible future model, one B2C online gaming license per emirate. That mirrors early discussions around land-based casinos and suggests the UAE could be heading toward a structured, region-by-region licensing system once the legal framework is finalized.

What Momentum’s License Actually Covers

Momentum’s license allows it to offer approved digital gaming and interactive entertainment services that comply with UAE regulatory standards. These may include:

• Skill-based digital games
• Regulated sports or event-based digital gaming
• Interactive entertainment platforms
• Loyalty, rewards, and promotional gaming mechanisms

The license does not permit open-access UAE online casino gambling, such as slots, roulette, or unregulated betting platforms.

Regulatory Context in the UAE

Gambling is generally prohibited in the UAE under public order and moral regulations. However, the UAE has been introducing selective and tightly regulated digital activity frameworks as part of broader economic diversification and digital transformation efforts.

Licensing a single operator for regulated digital gaming reflects a cautious, controlled approach rather than a shift toward full legalization.

Who Can Operate and What Is Allowed

Only entities holding an official UAE gaming license may operate approved digital gaming activities. Unlicensed platforms remain illegal.

For users, participation is only lawful through authorized platforms offering permitted activities. Engaging with offshore or unlicensed online casino platforms can expose users to legal risk.

What This Means for Businesses and Users

For businesses:

• Opportunities exist only through licensed and regulated channels
• Strict compliance and ongoing oversight apply

For users:

• General online casino gambling remains prohibited
• Only approved digital gaming services are lawful

This change should not be interpreted as permission to gamble online freely.

FAQs

Q: Does the UAE allow online casinos now?
No. Online casinos for the general public remain illegal.

Q: What is Momentum licensed to do?
Momentum is licensed to operate specific regulated digital gaming and interactive entertainment services.

Q: Can UAE residents gamble online legally?
Only through authorized platforms offering permitted activities. Traditional online casino gambling is still prohibited.

Q: Is this a step toward full legalization?
There is no official indication of full legalization. The approach remains controlled and limited.

Q: Are offshore online casinos legal in the UAE?
No. Using unlicensed platforms can carry legal consequences.

A Sector in Transition

The conversation intensified when Kevin Mullally, who helped establish the GCGRA, stepped down earlier this month. His exit comes at a time when the regulator is expected to clarify how online platforms like TrueWin and Dream Island fit into the bigger picture.

For now, Momentum’s expansion shows where the market is naturally drifting. The platforms are live. Users are active. Major suppliers are already licensed. And development on the first potential casino is underway.

What this really means is that the UAE’s gaming landscape is shifting from speculation to momentum, no pun intended. The rules may not be finished yet, but the foundations of a full-fledged online gaming sector are already being built in plain sight. 

Conclusion

The UAE has not legalized online casinos but has introduced a tightly controlled digital gaming framework by licensing a single operator, Momentum, for approved activities. This development reflects regulatory experimentation rather than a policy shift toward open gambling. Individuals and businesses should carefully distinguish between licensed digital gaming and prohibited online casino activity to remain compliant with UAE law.