The gaming regulator for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), has announced that Kevin Mullally (pictured) is stepping down as the body’s first chief executive.
A Thursday press release said the GCGRA board had appointed Jim Murren, the authority’s chairman, as interim CEO, “effective immediately”.
Mr Mullally joined the GCGRA in September 2023, during its establishment phase. He previsouly served as vice president of government relations and general counsel at technology compliance tester and consultancy Gaming Laboratories International LLC (GLI), and as an executive director at the Missouri Gaming Commission in the United States.
He was credited in the announcement as “guiding the creation” of the regulator’s “foundational regulatory frameworks and supporting the UAE’s commitment to international standards of integrity and oversight in the commercial gaming sector”.
The update cited Mr Murren as saying: “Kevin has played a significant role in the authority’s early development, helping to establish its core governance and regulatory structure. We thank him for his contribution and wish him continued success in his future endeavours.”
Mr Murren added: “The GCGRA remains focused on the next stage of its growth, ensuring regulatory excellence, responsible gaming, and continued confidence in the UAE’s approach.”
The regulator said its operations, licensing programmes, and stakeholder engagements “continue without interruption under the guidance of the executive leadership team”.
The GCGRA is responsible for regulating, licensing, and supervising all UAE commercial gaming activities.
The authority issued its first gaming-related vendor licence in October last year. So far, 16 companies have been awarded a gaming-related vendor licence in the country, 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 launch in 2027.
