UAE Market Update: Play971 Launches in Regulated Trial Phase
Play971 is currently operating within a field trial phase, with the soft launch being closely observed by the GCGRA ahead of any wider market release.
The Play971 website has been live for only a matter of days, having launched in late November, and is fully licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Play971 is currently operating within a field trial phase, with the soft launch being closely observed by the GCGRA ahead of any wider market release.
A full commercial launch is expected in 2026, subject to the successful completion of the trial period and regulatory approval.
The significance of the ‘971’ branding is widely believed to reference the UAE’s international dialling code, while 1971 is also the year the country gained independence from the UK.
Play971 is operated by Momentum, which also runs the UAE Lottery through its subsidiary, The Game. Momentum is one of the UAE’s leading entertainment groups, with operations spanning mobile game development and publishing, virtual reality, iGaming and esports.
Before Play971’s launch, the UAE Lottery – offering a headline jackpot of 100 million dirhams (€23.5m) – was the only form of regulated online gambling available in the UAE.
