GCGRA Commercial Gaming AML Policy Paper (PDF)

What this paper is

The Commercial Gaming Policy Paper is published by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the body that regulates the UAE's commercial gaming sector. It sets out strategic recommendations for strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist-financing (AML and CFT) standards in that newly established sector.

This is the GCGRA's own document, offered here to download. It is a policy paper, meaning it sets direction and recommendations rather than binding rules. The GCGRA remains the source and the authority.

What the paper covers

The existing legal framework and AML/CFT provisions for commercial gaming in the UAE, alongside international standards, the FATF recommendations and comparable regulatory models.

The key money laundering and terrorist financing risks in gaming, including anonymous transactions, exploitation of player accounts, third-party payments, foreign-jurisdiction transactions, multiple payment methods, VIP and high-value players, employee complicity and cash transactions.

Targeted mitigation approaches for each risk, and recommendations such as completing a sectoral ML/TF risk assessment, closer coordination between regulators, and stronger due diligence, monitoring, controls and training for gaming operators.

Who it is relevant to

The paper is relevant to gaming operators and service providers in the UAE commercial gaming sector supervised by the GCGRA. Firms supervised by other UAE authorities follow their own frameworks. Adventant can help you confirm which authority supervises you and what it expects.

How to use it

Use it to understand how the GCGRA is approaching financial crime risk in gaming and the direction of travel for the sector. Because it is a policy paper, read it alongside any binding regulations the GCGRA issues, and check the GCGRA website for the current materials before relying on any text.