UAE warns residents of unlicensed lottery operators

In its first official update since July, The UAE’s gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has warned UAE residents of ‘the dangers’ of unlicensed lottery and commercial gaming operators.

In a press release dated December 9^th, the authority affirms that ‘only lottery and commercial gaming operators approved by the GCGRA are permitted to operate’.
The authority furthers that consumers using unlicensed operators ‘face significant risks’ including fraud and ‘being implicated in a regulatory or criminal investigation and the subsequent reputational damage’.

The GCGRA furthers that the sole lottery licensed in the region was granted to The Game, LLC, which operates as The UAE Lottery.
Two airport lotteries – Big Ticket and Dubai Duty Free – are also allowed to operated under the GCGRA’s supervision.
‘All other preexisting lotteries will not be considered for continued operations, and the GCGRA has ordered them to shut down’.
Speaking of the regulator’s vigilance on the issue, the CEO of the GCGRA, Kevin Mullally, noted “Consumers are strongly advised to avoid unlicensed operators to protect themselves from adverse consequences.  Similarly, advertisers, payment processors, and other service providers that support these businesses risk sanctions and potential consequences affecting their ability to operate in the UAE”.

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