Gaming equipment maker and operator Novomatic AG says it has been awarded one of the first gaming-related vendor licences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Novomatic “is proud to have been awarded a gaming-related vendor licence – Tier 1 by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) of the UAE,” the gaming supplier said in a Thursday press release.
The GCGRA, established in September 2023, is the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the UAE. It is chaired by Jim Murren, a former chairman and chief executive of casino group MGM Resorts International.
Novomatic said in Thursday’s update that it “aims to establish itself as a reliable partner for licensed operators in the UAE”.
The announcement cited Stefan Krenn, member of the executive board of Novomatic, as saying: “Receiving this licence as one of the first gaming technology groups worldwide is a significant milestone for Novomatic.”
Mr Krenn said the granting of the permit to Novomatic reflected the group’s “unwavering commitment to offer the most innovative products fulfilling the highest standards of responsible gaming”.
He added: “As we enter this exciting opportunity in the United Arab Emirates market, we successfully continue our international expansion
strategy.”
Thomas Schmalzer, Novomatic’s vice president for global sales and product management, said in prepared remarks that the firm’s products were designed to ensure that international players “can enjoy their preferred games” at venues in the UAE “with the same high standards and quality they expect from other jurisdictions”.
According to the regulator’s website, so far there is only one licensed casino operator in the UAE. That is casino firm Wynn Resorts Ltd, which is developing with local partners the Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the emirates.
The complex is due to have a “pre-opening” in the first quarter of 2027, as per Wynn Resorts.
In October, gaming equipment and technology supplier Aristocrat said it had received the first gaming-related vendor licence in the UAE.
