Compliance Updates
Dubai Authorities: The Emirate Won’t Legalize Gambling
Unfortunately for all gambling lovers, Dubai senior tourism official Issam Kazim stated that legalizing gambling in Dubai isn’t something the Emirate has in its foreseeing plans. This statement follows after months of speculations in the public that the United Arab Emirates would be considering opening up to gambling to compete against Saudi Arabia.
Even though Dubai is an Emirate where most casino-linked hotels are built, gambling is still illegal in the eye of the law.
This means that resorts such as the luxury five-star beachfront hotel and resort located on Bluewaters Island in Dubai, owned by the Caesars Palace magnate, don’t give their casino services in Dubai. The same goes for the MGM resort, which, even though it’s still in construction, has made clear that will also only have to provide hospitality services.
Meanwhile, the Wynn Resorts’ project in neighboring Ras Al Khaimah, one of the United Arab seven emirates, is preparing to open its doors to gambling. So, can players from Dubai enjoy gaming in this resort, or are there other alternatives?
Wynn Resorts to Open in Ras Al Khaimah
One of the most famous hotel resorts stationed in Nevada has taken its first step into opening up a division in one of the seven UAE – Ras Al Khaimah. The predictions for this resort are that it will be even bigger and more luxurious than the one in Las Vegas.
The idea for this endeavor is based on the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect spot to create this resort. The CEO, Craig Billins, said, “Given that it’s a man-made island without any existing development, it’s an incredibly flexible location on which to plan.”
Announced in early 2022, the Wynn Resorts is expected to be developed by around 2026. It will have more than 1,000 rooms, a shopping mall, a spa, restaurants, lounges, and even a gaming room.
Up to this point, Wynn Resorts have provided casino services to all customers. However, considering the strict gambling laws in the region of UAE, there are still speculations about whether this resort will open its doors to gaming enthusiasts from Dubai.
Billings noted that the region is a “tremendous non-gaming leisure and luxury market”, so presenting a casino that would be operating on its own can be a real challenge. In January 2022, the Emirate and Wynn both acquired a license to allow gaming, but there was no specification on whether this included gambling.
Nonetheless, Billings noted that all of these issues would be addressed in 2023 and onwards.
Online Gambling as an Alternative
Dubai is a country that operates under Islamic rules, which is why gambling is illegal. Having in mind that in Islam, gambling is considered a sin, all countries of this region have placed strict regulations and punishments concerning this matter.
However, there are still some exceptions. For example, in Dubai, horse racing is allowed; even the biggest horse race tournament – Dubai World Cup – takes place here. When it comes to gambling, brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as online operators that are stationed in Dubai, fall under these strict laws.
But, when it comes to online gaming at offshore sites, the situation is different, as playing here may be possible. Setting the ethical norms aside, the legal framework doesn’t extend to this section, meaning that the laws can’t have the same restrictions on foreign-based operators that allow players from Dubai. You can visit Arabic Casinos and find the best Arabic casino sites where players from Dubai can enjoy the thrill of online gaming.
Is There a Place for Gambling in Dubai’s Future?
Dubai senior tourism official Issam Kazim’s statement that Dubai won’t legalize gambling disappointed many gambling enthusiasts. However, not all hope is lost for those that want to enjoy the thrill of gaming.
Although it is still unclear whether players from Dubai can spin the reels in the Wynn Resort that is set to open in 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah, there are some available alternatives in the form of online gaming.
Plenty of online offshore casinos accept players from Dubai as their customers, giving them the same privileges as all other players. What is left to see is whether Dubai is willing to completely open its doors to gambling.
Some speculate that the Wynn Resort will push forward the whole UAE region to more leniency towards this matter, considering the tourism it attracts. This, in turn, will cause Dubai officials to change their minds on such a decision.
Compliance Updates
GoldenRace is now certified in the Netherlands
GoldenRace, global provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, has recently obtained a certification for its highly acclaimed Virtual Sports and Games in the Dutch market.
GoldenRace successfully navigated the stringent regulatory landscape of the Netherlands, and now will be providing its impressive betting products into the Online Dutch market, which will be an important advancement in our operational expansion.
The Netherlands betting scene is on the cusp of a substantial growth phase and with GoldenRace’s latest certification, we introduce to the Dutch market a range of highly popular games tailored to desktop and mobile, in both scheduled and on-demand modes.
Among the offer, players will enjoy our most-played Virtual Football line-up – including Football Single, Leagues, World Cup and Euro Champions-, adrenaline-pumping 3×3 Basketball and MMA and top-notch races as Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing and Grand Prix Indianapolis 60. Last but not least, our Number Games, such as Spin2Win. All ready to captivate Dutch players.
Asia
PAGCor Welcomes Lawyer Wilma Eisma as New President and Chief Operating Officer
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCor) today welcomed its new President and Chief Operating Officer, lawyer Wilma Eisma, who took her oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacanang this morning.
“We are happy to welcome Atty. Wilma Eisma as PAGCor’s new President and Chief Operating Officer,” PAGCor Chairman Alejandro Tengco said. “We know she will be a great asset and her vast experience in both the government and private sectors will surely be put to good use here.”
Tengco said he witnessed Eisma’s oath-taking in Malacanang this morning. She then immediately joined her first PAGCor board meeting in the afternoon as the agency’s first ever woman President and Chief Operating Officer.
A lawyer by profession, Eisma earned her law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines before joining the state gaming firm.
Prior to that, she also served as the first woman Administrator and Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Her private sector stints include leadership roles in PMFTC Incorporated, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International.
She also held key positions at the Department of Trade and Industry where she worked at the Office of the Secretary and in the Office of the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, among others.
Eisma succeeded Atty Juanito Sanosa Jr who resigned as PAGCor President and Chief Operating Officer last January.
Compliance Updates
MGA: Update to the Incident Reporting Requirements
The Malta Gaming Authority would like to inform its licensees of updates made to the Incident Report mechanism available through the Licensee Portal The information hereunder outlines relevant guidance and procedures for the submission of an Incident Report through the updated reporting instrument entitled the ‘Technical – Information Security Incident’.
As mandated by Articles 37(2)(c) and (d) of the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018), “Licensees shall notify the Authority forthwith, and in any case no later than three (3) working days after, the following:
(c) Any breach of the licensee’s information security that adversely affects the confidentiality of information relating to players;
(d) Any breach of the licensee’s information security that precludes players from accessing their accounts for a period exceeding twelve (12) hours.”
In this regard, Licensees are obliged to submit an Incident Report in order to notify the Authority of the circumstances relating to an information security breach that meet the above specified criteria. Additionally, Licensees are advised to remain mindful of any further obligations emanating from the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) and any relevant legislation.
The Technical – Information Security Incident option will be accessible through the “New/Change” dropdown menu via the Portal. Upon selection, users will be directed to the applicable sections of the ‘Technical – Information Security Incident’ where all compulsory fields and any relevant documentation must be submitted to the Authority.
Upon submission, the Incident Report shall undergo review by the Authority. Any missing information that may be identified by the Authority, shall be requested accordingly from the Licensee. It is imperative that any pending clarifications are addressed in a timely manner.
If no further clarifications are deemed necessary by the Authority, the Incident Report will be closed off accordingly, and any relevant documentation will be securely filed for record-keeping purposes.
Any Incident Reports left in ‘Draft’ form (i.e. opened but not effectively submitted) for a period of ninety (90) days shall be automatically discarded.
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