New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Partners with UAE on Gambling Regulation

^{New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (center) traveled to the UAE last week where, among other matters, he signed an agreement that will have his state showing the country how to regulate casinos. (Image: US-UAE Business Council on X)}

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) have agreed to a memorandum of understanding that will result in an international partnership between the two regulatory bodies. 

The memorandum was signed last week by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy during a New Jersey economic mission to the Gulf Arab States. 

Murphy: Partnership Will Promote Responsible Gaming

A gaming partnership might seem strange in the UAE, as the country is situated in a region that is known for its strong anti-gambling sentiments. However, the nation established the GCGRA in September 2023 with an eye towards potentially supervising commercial gaming activities ranging from lotteries to online gambling and integrated resorts. 

The first major test for the GCGRA will be the regulation of the Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, which is set to open in 2027. Doing so will require experience and expertise, something the DGE can offer to their UAE counterparts.

“Commercial gaming is a key pillar of the UAE’s strategy for diversified economic growth, playing a significant role in driving tourism and attracting foreign investment,” GCGRA CEO Kevin Mullally said in a statement. “This moment represents a unique opportunity to align innovative technology with modern, collaborative regulation to unlock substantial economic potential while ensuring the highest standards of consumer protection.”

While the deal has obvious benefits for regulators in the UAE, Governor Murphy also outlined how the partnership could help New Jersey in the long run.

“New Jersey’s role as a national leader and international destination for gaming is strengthened by global partnerships that drive innovation in an industry where consumers seek exciting experiences,” Murphy said in a statement. “The collaboration between the DGE and GCGRA will strengthen our international economy while prioritizing responsible gaming.”

UAE Rapidly Preparing for Legalized Casino Gaming

The partnership was also aided by the fact that many GCGRA officials have previously worked with the DGE. That includes Mullally, who was previously the Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission from 2000-2006, and the Vice President of Government Relations for Gaming Laboratories International from 2013-2023.

 The GCGRA is moving quickly to prepare for the opening of the Wynn resort. Earlier this year, the regulator awarded its first gaming vendor license to Aristocrat, which will allow the firm to supply gaming machines to the Wynn casino and any future operators in the UAE, as well as potentially offer online gaming solutions in the future.

Currently, Wynn Al Marjan Island is planned to be open to visitors from the Middle East and beyond. While that includes local visitors in the general resort, that invitation won’t extend to the casino itself.

“In the gaming space, who will be allowed in is a decision of the GCGRA,” Wynn Resorts Chief Communications Officer Michael Weaver told Skift on Tuesday. “As of now, the GCGRA has said Emiratis thus far will not be permitted to game. But everywhere else would be fine.”

The partnership between the DGE and the GCGRA was facilitated by Choose New Jersey, a non-profit organization that works to attract business to the state.