Novomatic Secures UAE Tier 1 Gaming Licence

The UAE is opening the door to regulated land-based gaming—and Novomatic just stepped through it. The global gaming supplier has received a groundbreaking Tier 1 vendor licence from the UAE’s gambling authority. This move positions Novomatic at the heart of the UAE’s first major casino project—Wynn’s $3.9 billion Al Marjan Island resort. Discover how this milestone sets the stage for a new era in Middle East gaming and what it means for the global industry.

Novomatic Enters UAE Casino Market with Landmark Gaming Licence for Wynn Al Marjan Island

3 Key Points

• Novomatic among first to secure a Tier 1 gaming vendor licence in the UAE
• Authorised to supply gaming tech to Wynn’s Al Marjan Island casino resort
• Signals major progress in the UAE’s cautious but transformative casino regulation journey

Novomatic, a global leader in land-based gaming solutions, has officially entered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market after securing a Tier 1 B2B gaming vendor licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This historic licence positions Novomatic as one of the first approved suppliers in a country that is rapidly evolving its stance on casino gaming.

The GCGRA, which governs all gambling activities in the UAE, announced the licence as part of its early-stage framework for regulating commercial gaming. Novomatic’s licence grants it permission to supply its advanced gaming products—including slot machines, gaming systems, and electronic table games—to authorised operators within the UAE.

Currently, the UAE gaming sector is extremely limited, consisting primarily of a regulated state lottery. However, the highly anticipated Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah marks a transformative shift. The integrated resort is being developed with the goal of becoming the first legal casino operation in the UAE, reportedly set to open in 2027.

Novomatic’s licence means it can now supply gaming infrastructure directly to this multibillion-dollar project, which is expected to become one of the most luxurious gambling destinations in the world. This partnership marks a crucial step in the UAE’s ambitions to position itself as a leading entertainment hub in the Middle East.

A Gateway to the Region

For Novomatic, this licence offers more than access to a single project—it opens the gateway to a potentially vast new market in the Gulf. As the UAE delicately balances its traditionally conservative values with the economic potential of regulated gambling, Novomatic’s early entry may establish it as a long-term pillar in the region’s gaming infrastructure.

The supplier’s proven track record in over 100 countries, including major regulated markets in Europe and Latin America, adds credibility to the UAE’s efforts to ensure that only responsible and compliant operators are involved in its new venture.

Regulatory Integrity and Global Standards

The GCGRA has signalled that it will pursue a gold-standard regulatory framework, focusing on player protection, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and sustainable economic impact. Novomatic’s certification suggests it meets or exceeds these standards, particularly in areas such as age verification, responsible gaming technology, and game fairness.

With Wynn Resorts leading the Al Marjan Island development and Novomatic now set to provide gaming solutions, the project has all the makings of a world-class entertainment destination. Moreover, the GCGRA is expected to continue issuing vendor licences to a select group of B2B suppliers in the coming months.

Novomatic’s entry into the UAE’s gaming market through a Tier 1 vendor licence marks a pivotal moment in the Middle East’s regulated gambling evolution. With its sights set on supporting Wynn’s Al Marjan Island project, Novomatic stands poised to help shape the UAE’s first legal casino resort. As regulatory momentum builds, this licence is more than a business win—it’s a signal of the UAE’s intent to compete on the world stage as a serious player in high-end, regulated casino entertainment.