Gaming testing laboratory and technical consultancy BMM Testlabs says it has received “official approval” to test gaming products for the licensed lottery and commercial gaming sectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“BMM’s certification falls under the ‘Independent Testing Laboratories’ category,” stated the firm in a Wednesday press release.
The company said the approval was given by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), “which holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities, including lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering, and land-based gaming facilities”.
The GCGRA, established in September 2023, is chaired by Jim Murren, a former chairman and chief executive of casino group MGM Resorts International.
The announcement cited BMM Testlabs’ chief executive, Martin Storm, as saying: “We are excited and deeply honoured that the GCGRA has entrusted BMM Testlabs with the responsibility of testing products for their new lottery, land-based, and digital gaming programme, knowing that we’ll do so with the highest levels of impartiality, technical expertise, transparency, efficiency, and, most of all, integrity.”
According to the GCGRA’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.
The UAE regulator announced last year the award to The Game LLC of a licence to operate the federation’s first authorised lottery, to operate under the banner of “UAE Lottery”.
BMM Testlabs is to be acquired by The Visualize Group, a U.S.-based private equity firm, according to an announcement last week. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, stated BMM at the time.
