The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has embarked on a new era of regulated gaming with the launch of its first-ever lottery. This landmark event marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to entertainment and leisure, offering residents a chance to win life-changing sums of money.

The UAE Lottery represents the first licensed gambling operation in the Emirates, paving the way for potential future growth in the sector. The Game LLC, a subsidiary of Momentum, holds the license and is responsible for running the lottery.

Currently, two options of lottery products are available:

Lucky Day: A bi-weekly draw with an AED 100 million (USD 27.2 million) jackpot and various prize tiers. The ticket price is AED 50 (USD 13.6). Participants choose six numbers from 1-31 (“Days”) and one number from 1-12 (“Months”). 

Scratch Cards: Instant win scratch cards with varying price points (Dh5-Dh50) and prizes ranging from AED 50,000 (USD 13,600) to AED 1 million (USD 272,000).

Live draws will be held every other Saturday at 8:30 pm. Residents must be 18 years or older and physically present in the UAE to participate. Tickets can be purchased online through the . The inaugural live draw is scheduled for December 14th.

The UAE Lottery is regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), ensuring fair play and transparency. The GCGRA’s rigorous oversight aims to maintain high standards of integrity and protect consumer interests.

Abu Dhabi-based The Game, a subsidiary of gaming and entertainment operation Momentum, secured the UAE Lottery license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in July this year. It beat established local competitors Emirates Draw and Mahzooz to the license, both of which are now preparing to pivot into other verticals as a result. 

Credibility to the operation

Smartplay International, a lottery draw specialist already powering many of the world’s largest lotteries, secured a UAE vendor license in October, suggesting it is powering the offering.

Bishop Woosley, the former director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, serves as the lottery director for Momentum. The involvement of established industry figures like Woosley adds credibility to the operation.

“Our mission at The UAE Lottery is to inspire people to dream big, aligning with our slogan, ‘Dare to Imagine’. We aim to create exciting experiences while promoting responsible play. Following a rigorous GCGRA evaluation, our team remains committed to ensuring that all operations meet global standards, guaranteeing fairness and transparency from the draw process to the selection of winners.” said Woosley.

The GCGRA stated, “The issuance of a Certificate of Operation by the to the UAE Lottery follows a thorough and demanding evaluation process. Our dedicated team ensured the lottery’s operations align with the GCGRA’s comprehensive regulatory framework, which prioritises consumer protection, upholds the integrity of lottery games, and promotes responsible gaming practices.”

“We congratulate the UAE Lottery on achieving these high standards and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining vigilant oversight to safeguard the interests of consumers and all stakeholders. The GCGRA remains dedicated to ensuring all commercial gaming activities within the UAE operate with fairness, transparency, and accountability,” the authority said.

UAE’s flourishing gaming market

The UAE Lottery is a pioneering venture in the Emirates’ burgeoning gambling market, alongside Wynn Resorts. The latter secured the country’s first commercial gaming license in October and is currently developing the Wynn Al-Marjan Island resort in Ras Al-Khaimah, set to open in 2027.

A potential UAE Lottery success could influence the development of further commercial gaming ventures within the country. However, the GCGRA suggests a focus on existing licenses for the immediate future, with potential for expansion in the coming years. The status of online gaming remains unclear.

This development highlights the evolving entertainment landscape in the Middle East. The UAE Lottery’s success could influence neighbouring countries considering similar ventures.

Overall, the launch of the UAE Lottery indicates a significant shift in the country’s approach to gaming. Interested parties should closely monitor the lottery’s performance and its potential impact on the region’s gaming industry.

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