The United Arab Emirates has launched its first federally licensed national lottery, marking a significant milestone as the only country in the Arabian Peninsula to offer fully legal lottery games.

Tickets for the UAE Lottery went on sale on Tuesday, featuring a grand prize of 100 million dirham (US$27.2 million). The inaugural draw is scheduled for December 14, with tickets available through the lottery's official website.

Unlike previous small-scale lotteries operating in legal grey areas, such as the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket, Mahooz, and Emirates Draw, the UAE Lottery is open to all residents regardless of nationality. This inclusive approach is notable given the Islamic prohibition on gambling, which considers games of chance as forbidden under Quranic teachings.

The launch reflects the UAE's broader economic diversification strategy as it looks beyond its oil-dependent economy. The government awarded the lottery contract to Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC in July 2023, following the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in September.

This development coincides with Wynn Resorts' plans to construct a $5.1 billion integrated resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open in 2027. If casino gambling is legalized, the UAE's substantial wealth could potentially position it to surpass Singapore's gambling revenues, regardless of local participation restrictions.

While gambling beyond the lottery remains illegal in the UAE, this initiative represents a significant shift in the region's gaming landscape, where only Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon currently operate limited, foreigner-only casino facilities.

Related Articles

Previous Articles