Is tipping off a customer a crime for UAE gaming operators?
Yes. It is a criminal offence for a UAE gaming operator, or any of its directors, officers, or employees, to tell a customer or any other person that a suspicious transaction report has been or is about to be filed, or that an investigation is under way. This prohibition, commonly called the tipping-off rule, protects the integrity of investigations by preventing suspects from being warned.
The rule applies even where the disclosure seems harmless, such as reassuring a player that their account is being reviewed. Staff should be trained to handle customer questions without revealing that a report exists, and to route any concerns to the compliance officer. Breaching the rule exposes the individual and the operator to criminal liability, separate from any penalty for the underlying money laundering conduct.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 29 — criminalises notifying or warning a person that a report has been made or an investigation is under way.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (Executive Regulations), Article 19 — prohibits disclosure that a suspicious transaction report has been or will be submitted.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.