Who is the AML supervisory authority for UAE commercial gaming operators?
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is the designated AML supervisory authority for commercial gaming operators in the UAE. Established in 2023 as the sole federal body mandated to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities in the UAE, the GCGRA has exclusive jurisdiction over the sector.
The GCGRA role as an AML supervisor is established through its federal mandate and reinforced by the Commercial Gaming Policy Paper (GSNAMLCFTC, 2025), which confirms that the GCGRA serves as the supervisory authority of AML/CFT for the commercial gaming sector. This authority encompasses the full lifecycle of regulatory oversight: licensing, compliance monitoring, supervisory inspections, enforcement, and coordination with national AML bodies.
Under Article 16 of Federal Decree by Law No. 10 of 2025, supervisory authorities - including the GCGRA - are empowered to conduct risk assessments of entities under their jurisdiction, perform desk-based and field-based supervisory inspections, issue binding directives, impose administrative penalties, and cooperate with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The GCGRA works in coordination with the National Committee for AML/CFT (NAMLCFTC) and other federal bodies.
Gaming operators are required to submit their AML and financial crime prevention frameworks to the GCGRA as part of their licence application, and are subject to ongoing regulatory reporting, supervisory audits, and ad hoc inspections throughout the licence period.
Legal Reference (UAE):
- Federal Decree by Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 16, Supervisory Authority powers and competencies
- NAMLCFTC - National AML/CFT coordination body overseeing sector-level supervisory frameworks including commercial gaming
For more details, consult the GCGRA regulatory guidance or seek advice from your AML compliance officer.