Dubai’s evolving online casino landscape

Across the globe, countries are increasingly adopting more liberal gambling laws — and the United Arab Emirates is no exception, with a brand new gaming resort set to open in Ras Al Khaimah. This marks a major shift in one part of the country, which until recently had very strict laws against gambling.

With a predicted annual global gross gaming revenue of 4.5 percent, the casino and betting market is continuing to thrive. According to Business Wire, the global gambling market is expected to grow from around 161 billion USD in 2024 to 221 billion USD by 2030.

One of the main reasons behind this prediction, experts say, are more liberal gambling laws across the globe. This has been true all over Europe and Asia, and now the United Arab Emirates is following suite.

In Ras Al Khaimah, a highly luxurious gaming resort is set to open in 2027, and now there’s a growing interest among people in the UAE in visiting online casinos in Dubai, especially offshore platforms — even though such activity remains restricted in parts of the country. This is one of the reasons why the gambling laws of UAE are quite tricky to keep track of.

A modern licensing system is in place

For a long time, gambling has been a controversial question in the UAE, but in the last few years, a change has slowly occurred. In 2023, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to oversee and regulate the gaming industry.

Their mission is to supervise all commercial gaming activities in the country, and to provide gambling providers with the licenses needed to openly target the UAE public as their audience. Today, this mainly concerns issuing licensing for lotteries and physical casinos – with the first physical casino being Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah – but also internet gaming, such as bingo, casino games, esports, and sports wagering. Most licenses, though, have been issued to business-to-business providers who are developing the online casinos with gaming mechanics and the games themselves.

The development of the country’s casino laws is still ongoing. As recently as April 30th, the GCGRA and New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) signed an agreement to work together on improving both in-person and online gambling. The partnership focuses on innovation, cybersecurity, and protecting players. This is seen as yet another big step in the UAE’s liberalization of gambling laws.

A new landmark is being built

The Wynn Al Marjan Island resort is planned to be massive, with the capacity of 1,530 rooms, 22 restaurants, several pools, a nightclub, salon, spa, an event centre, and, of course, a casino. According to The National, the Wynn Island Resort is part of Ras Al Khaimah’s strategy to boost the number of yearly overnight visitors from last year’s 1.28 million to 3.5 million in 2030. The cost of the luxurious resort is estimated to be a whopping 5.1 billion USD.

In the same article, the National states that the resort is forecast to employ about 7,000 people, and that the emirate state is “setting up infrastructure to encourage such growth”.

The Wynn Al Marjan Island will be located less than 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport, making it an accessible destination for both tourists and locals all around the UAE. It is not to exaggerate to state that this could be a new landmark in the making.

More licenses have been issued

Although Island 3 AMI FZ-LLC is the first company to be granted a land-based casino license for Wynn Al Marjan, the GCGRA has issued other types of licenses to different providers. For instance, The Game LLC has been granted a lottery license for its UAE Lottery, and Smartpay Technologies Europe, Smartpay International Inc., and IGT Global Services Limited are among seven companies that have received Gaming-Related Vendor Licenses.

These are all gambling companies that develop business-to-business solutions, such as casino- and wagering software, slots and live casino games, or gaming products, and together, they demonstrate a clear shift in the country’s view on commercial gaming.

One of the major products in this field is labeled “live casino”, whose main object is to provide the digital gambler at online casinos with such an authentic casino experience as possible.

The live casino experience

For one who is not familiar with the term, the concept of a live casino is a fascinating one within the gambling community. A live casino aims at erasing the line between the experience of a traditional land-based casino and that of a digital gambling platform. By using live-streamed dealers and croupiers broadcasting from professional studios – often equipped to resemble the atmosphere of a real casino – players can immerse themselves in real-time games, straight from their screens, in the comfort of their homes.

At the heart of live casinos is the goal of blending authenticity with player interaction.. Unlike standard online casino games, which rely on random number generators and automated gameplay, live casino games are conducted by human dealers. Players can watch every shuffle, spin, or deal through multiple camera angles, and they often have the option to communicate with the dealer or other players via live chat. This enhances the social aspect of gambling, making the experience more engaging and dynamic.

More or less all the major traditional casino games are available in live versions, such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, but also games such as pachinko, craps, three card poker, sic bo, and, of course, video poker.

New versions of old classics

A rising trend in the live casino world is the use of special versions of familiar games. For instance, one can play Lightning Roulette, where the winnings on a random number on the spinning wheel is boosted with a multiplier by each spin, or crazy themed blackjack games for a more fun experience.

Also, casino game shows are on the rise in the live casino world. These are TV-styled games that are hosted by real presenters and, just as other live casino games, are streamed in real time.

Inspired by popular game shows, these titles – like Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, and Dream Catcher – combine elements of chance with vibrant visuals, bonus rounds, and live interaction. Players place bets on outcomes like wheel spins or number draws, and special features often trigger exciting multipliers or mini-games.

This format is designed to be highly entertaining and to appeal to both casual players and advanced gamblers. With live hosts and dynamic pacing, many think that casino game shows offer a fun, social twist on traditional casino play.

Popular online casinos accessible from Dubai

While there are yet no licensed issues to online casinos in Dubai, many residents access offshore online casinos. Here are some popular platforms:

● RoosterBet: Offers a welcome bonus of up to 5,000 USD and 300 free spins. Known for its user-friendly interface and diverse game selection.

● Casinia: Provides a casino welcome bonus of up to 5,000 USD with the promo code GCC2025. Features a wide range of slots and live dealer games.

● 10Bet: Offers a 100% casino welcome bonus up to 3,000 USDand 100 free spins with the bonus code CAS3000. Renowned for its sports betting options and live casino games.

● Fortuneplay: Presents a welcome package of up to 5,000 USD and 300 free spins. Known for its extensive game library and VIP program.

With all this in mind, it's clear that attitudes toward gambling are shifting — even in traditionally conservative regions. As legal frameworks evolve, and with a luxury casino resort opening just 40 minutes from Dubai, the UAE is poised to become a noteworthy player in the global gaming market.

To stay informed about the latest developments in the country’s gambling laws, visit the official website of the GCGRA. You can also explore and compare different casino options at Emiratescasino.com.