Aristocrat Gaming, a leading global producer of slot machines, announced it has received the inaugural international vendor license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which is the UAE's inaugural gaming regulatory body, granted the permit to the Australian gaming device manufacturer, allowing Aristocrat to market gaming devices at commercial casinos within the emirates.
"As a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of regulated land-based slot games, Aristocrat will operate under the ‘Gaming Related Vendor License’ category. As the GCGRA’s first supplier to obtain the license, the company will offer world-class gaming content, hardware and services to cater to player interests and financial preferences,” according to a statement issued by Aristocrat.
The manufacturer of the slot machines did not disclose specifics regarding the financial conditions related to the UAE license. The firm ranks among the leading providers of slot games, with its titles having a devoted following in the Asia-Pacific and North American regions.
Aristocrat UAE News Tracks Wynn Licensing
The announcement of Aristocrat obtaining the UAE's gaming vendor license came just weeks after Wynn Resorts received the first casino license ever granted in the Arab world by the GCGRA.
In collaboration with local partner RAK Hospitality, Wynn is constructing Wynn Al Marjan in Ras Al Khaimah — a $4 billion integrated resort anticipated to debut in early 2027. Recent reports suggest that the casino hotel may open in the first quarter of that year, which is a bit ahead of the planned timeline.
In the announcement regarding the vendor permit, Aristocrat did not reference Wynn. Nonetheless, Wynn Al Marjan Island is anticipated to hold a short-term monopoly in the UAE until other gaming establishments become operational. The casino in that establishment is expected to occupy under 5% of the overall square footage.
Concerning Aristocrat's possible client list in the UAE, the slot manufacturer has formed connections with Wynn and MGM Resorts International, the latter of which has also announced its intention to apply for a UAE casino license.
UAE Might Be a Profitable Market for Aristocrat
As new growth opportunities become rare in the global gaming sector, the UAE emerges as a prominent market for both operators and manufacturers like Aristocrat. For both groups of companies, the UAE may present a compelling long-term market opportunity.
Based on the quantity of casinos sanctioned by the GCGRA, analysts predict that the UAE might evolve into a $5 billion gross gaming revenue (GGR) market. That figure is derived from market development and presumes the authorization of three or four more casino hotels alongside the Wynn establishment.
With an annual GGR of $5 billion, the UAE wouldn’t pose a challenge to Las Vegas or Macau based on that figure, but it would be comparable to Singapore, indicating it could be an attractive location for content creators and equipment suppliers such as Aristocrat.