UAE Gaming Regulator Applies Crown Resorts Experience to Stress Operator Collaboration

Ciarán Carruthers, who stepped into the role of CEO of the UAE’s General Commercial Gambling Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in June, is drawing directly from his time as CEO of Crown Resorts to shape regulation in the UAE market. In remarks on a panel hosted by the International Association of Gaming Advisors at G2E in Las Vegas, Carruthers underlined the need for close cooperation with operators on responsible gaming, AML rules and player protection. The former executive spent almost 40 years on the operator side before taking the regulatory post.

Lessons from Australian Compliance Challenges

Carruthers said his clear mandate is “not only to protect players who play in our licensed casino or our licensed online site, but to ensure that the tools are there and are proven to be effective in regard to a responsible gaming and an AML policy.” He added that the GCGRA wants “a workable policy that is constantly tested, that is constantly challenged by the operator and by us.”

Good cooperation between regulator and operators is vital if intended outcomes are to be achieved, Carruthers stated. He cited past experience with rules based on the assumption that every customer has a gambling problem until proven otherwise, saying this creates friction that can push players into unregulated channels. Carruthers described media narratives in Australia that the casino sector was doomed under tight rules as “offensive.” Crown was found suitable again in 2024 after earlier licence suspensions and financial losses.

The opportunity to build regulatory excellence from the start, with a focus on player protection and compliance culture, drew him to the UAE role. The GCGRA is developing supervisory tools, technology for financial crime monitoring and supply chain visibility that covers both licensed and unlicensed operators.

Setting Foundations for Oversight and Public Trust

Online gaming is already live in the UAE across lottery, sports betting and online casino. The first land-based casino, at Wynn Al Marjan Island, is scheduled to open in September 2027. Over the last three years the GCGRA has prioritised investigations, licensing, suitability assessments and supervisory framework development.

Intelligence capabilities are being strengthened alongside domestic partnerships with law enforcement and other authorities to tackle illegal gaming and community harm minimisation. Carruthers noted that harm minimisation is a social issue that must be addressed across the entire ecosystem, including education on the differences between licensed and unlicensed providers. The authority seeks no silos between enforcement and protection roles, with licensing, compliance and responsible gaming viewed as overlapping functions.

As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, the intended outcome is a regulated environment where the industry can thrive within set parameters while the community receives clear protection. This requires building public understanding of the regulator’s rationale and mandate.

Reporting: Inside Asian Gaming

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