Play971 Launches UAE World Cup Betting Campaign

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to introduce licensed football betting to local players ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, marking a major development for the country’s newly regulated gaming sector.

According to Arabian Gulf Business Insights, Play971, operated by Coin Technology Projects LLC, is preparing a promotional campaign tied to the tournament. Coin Technology Projects is currently the only company to hold both an Internet Gaming License and a Sports Wagering License issued by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).

In promotional messaging shared ahead of the tournament, Play971 stated that UAE residents would, for the first time, be able to place bets on international football matches through a locally licensed platform. The company described the launch as a milestone for sports entertainment in the country and positioned the service as a new way for fans to engage with major sporting events.

Despite the rollout, details surrounding the UAE’s gambling legislation remain limited. While the GCGRA references decree no. 30 of 2022 as the legal basis for regulating commercial gaming activities, the full legislative framework has yet to be publicly released.

The latest development follows Momentum’s earlier launch of online gaming platforms TrueWin and Dream Island, both introduced late last year. Those platforms included wagering options across sports such as football, basketball, tennis and cricket, alongside casino-style offerings including poker, roulette, slot games and live dealer tables.

Industry observers continue to monitor how the UAE structures its licensing model. Previous reports from Vixio Gambling Compliance suggested the GCGRA could eventually issue one B2C online gaming licence per emirate, mirroring the framework reportedly being considered for land-based casino operations.

At present, only a limited number of licences have been granted across the UAE gaming sector. These include the land-based gaming facility licence awarded to Wynn Resorts for its Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the lottery licence issued to The Game LLC, operator of the UAE Lottery.

The timing of Play971’s campaign aligns with the start of the FIFA World Cup, which begins on 12 June and is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The launch of regulated football betting ahead of the tournament signals another step in the gradual development of the UAE’s commercial gaming market.