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.
Balkans
SOFTSWISS Gets Certification for Its Jackpot Aggregator in Bulgaria
SOFTSWISS, a leading technology provider for iGaming, has further solidified its presence in the European market by securing certification for its Jackpot Aggregator in Bulgaria.
The iGaming market in Bulgaria is experiencing significant growth, attracting new businesses despite stringent domestic regulations. The market is projected to generate 168.70 million euro in revenue by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 5.42%. The number of users is expected to reach 377.3 thousand by the same year, further highlighting the sector’s momentum.
In line with this growth, SOFTSWISS announces that its Jackpot Aggregator has received certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), ensuring it meets all technical requirements for use in the Bulgarian market. With the new certification of the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, Bulgarian-licensed operators can integrate this advanced engagement tool into their casino offerings.
In May, SOFTSWISS successfully entered the Bulgarian market through a partnership with Topwin.bg, which implemented the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator, and the Sportsbook.
“We are seeing a strong surge in interest in our jackpot mechanic, fueled by the growing demand for engagement tools in the market. That’s why we are committed to further developing the Jackpot Aggregator, enhancing its features, and expanding into new markets. Certification for the Bulgarian market is a clear testament to our ambition and drive for expansion. We are actively working on obtaining certifications in other jurisdictions,” comments Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator.
SOFTSWISS has several international and national licences and certifications, including a South African licence acquired through the purchase of a majority stake in Turfsport. The company recently announced its plans to become the first certified software provider in Brazil.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
Compliance Updates
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) delivers gold standard certification to core EveryMatrix platform products
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) has certified EveryMatrix’s core platform products with a twin set of gold standards enabling it to rapidly deliver its trusted technology across further regulated markets.
CasinoEngine and GamMatrix, EveryMatrix’s productivity and player account management platforms, are now fully certified to the GLI-19 standard, while its sportsbook platform OddsMatrix is certified to the GLI-33 standard.
GLI-19 relates to interactive gaming systems, while GLI-33 pertains to event wagering systems. The certification tests were executed by the GLI team.
Both are widely accepted to be among the gold standard certifications within the betting and iGaming industry and mark an important milestone in EveryMatrix’s 16-year history as it continues to grow and rank among the fastest growing technology providers.
All three platform products have been recognised as adhering to compliance requirements and best practices dictated by the two GLI standards. This now allows EveryMatrix to demonstrate compliance in all jurisdictions that base their regulations on the GLI-19 and GLI-33 standards.
The GLI certifications across CasinoEngine, GamMatrix and OddsMatrix also allows EveryMatrix to accelerate its technology deployment in each existing or new jurisdiction with the testing lab only needing to perform a reduced set of tests in each case.
Jake Cachia, Head of Compliance, EveryMatrix, said: “Customers across the world today look to work with providers that have software certified according to these two standards which represent the highest mark of quality and compliance in our industry.
“We are already seen as one of the most trusted partners in the market, however both GLI-19 and GLI-33 will help us build on this even more within regulated jurisdictions and we’re grateful to GLI for conducting such a thorough and efficient process.”
Chris Davies, Vice President of Sales, GLI Europe, said: “It has been a privilege for GLI to support the EveryMatrix Team in going live in North America and LatAm markets based on GLI standards. It has, and it continues to be, a true collaboration, engaging with such an innovative team. We are excited to see the significant progress they make and wish them and everyone a successful G2E.”
Compliance Updates
Gentoo Media Announces the Rebrand of GiG Comply to Sitebee
Gentoo Media has announced the rebrand of its renowned GiG Comply platform into Sitebee – the advanced SaaS solution designed to elevate compliance automation and brand protection.
This rebrand follows Gentoo Media’s own recent rebrand and represents a significant step in the company’s mission to redefine how operators protect their brands and ensure regulatory compliance from the affiliate partners they work with in the fast-evolving iGaming industry.
“Sitebee is more than just a rebrand. It’s a renewed commitment to our partners and the industry. Compliance doesn’t stand still, and neither do we,” said Rasmus Bank Nielsen, Head of Sitebee.
Built for today’s challenges – and tomorrow’s opportunities
Sitebee builds upon the legacy of GiG Comply, but has been designed with the future of compliance in mind. The platform empowers iGaming operators to automate compliance monitoring, save time, reduce risks and gain deeper insights into their marketing and affiliate partnerships.
“Compliance is a moving target, and Sitebee is how businesses can stay ahead, not just keep up. Our solution helps brands navigate complex regulatory landscapes by monitoring thousands of web pages in real time to ensure adherence to laws across multiple jurisdictions,” said Rasmus Bank Nielsen, Head of Sitebee.
“With Sitebee, our clients gain insights that not only identify risks but also uncover new growth opportunities. Data is key, and we provide our clients with a clear picture of their affiliate landscape so they can act quickly and strategically,” added Rasmus Bank Nielsen.
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