UAE Approves First-Ever Licensed Online Sports Betting and Casino Platform

The UAE has officially entered the online gaming space.

The country’s gaming regulator has licensed Play971, making it the first legal sports wagering and iGaming website in the UAE. It’s a big shift for the region — and a clear sign that regulated online gaming is now a real thing.

Play971: What It Is and Who Runs It

Play971 says it’s fully licensed, regulated, and based in the UAE. The platform is operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, an Abu Dhabi–registered company headquartered at twofour54, Yas Creative Hub.

On the regulator’s official list, Coin Technology Projects LLC appears under both Internet Gaming and Sports Wagering licenses — meaning it’s cleared to offer both.

What Counts as iGaming and Sports Wagering?

According to the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), internet gaming includes digital games played on phones, computers, or apps. Think:

• Casino-style games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker

• Bingo and fantasy games

• eSports and skill-based games

• Peer-to-peer and chance-based games

Sports wagering, meanwhile, covers betting on sports events or athlete and team performance — including football, basketball, cricket, tennis, horse racing, and more — but only through licensed platforms.

Who Can Use It (And Who Can’t)

Play971 comes with clear rules:

• You must be 21 years old or above

• You must be physically inside the UAE

• VPNs or location-hiding tools are not allowed

• Access from certain “sensitive areas” is restricted

• Break the rules, and winnings won’t be paid

The platform also checks financial eligibility before letting users register.

Focus on Responsible Play

Play971 says it wants gaming to stay recreational. The platform includes:

• Player controls and limits

• Underage gaming protection

• Responsible gaming tools

• Access to external support services like Takalam

In short: play smart, or don’t play at all.

Why This Matters for the UAE

This is the 19th license issued by the GCGRA since it launched in September 2023.

So far:

• The Game LLC runs the UAE Lottery

• Wynn Al Marjan holds the license for the country’s first land-based integrated gaming resort in Ras Al Khaimah

• The rest of the licenses go to gaming-related vendors — and now, one major online platform

The rule is simple: no license, no gaming. Any unlicensed gaming activity — even participating as a player — is illegal and can lead to penalties.