Pioneering Partnership to Enhance Regulatory Cooperation
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to promote regulatory collaboration, information sharing, and best practice exchanges between the two jurisdictions.
Announced on 30 April 2025, the agreement marks the first formal partnership between a leading US gaming regulator and a Middle Eastern authority, signaling the UAE’s growing ambitions to establish itself as a serious player in the global gaming space following its recent steps to legalize and regulate certain commercial gaming activities.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation on a variety of areas, including licensing standards, anti-money laundering (AML) measures, consumer protection policies, and technological innovations in gaming operations.
Mutual Benefits for Emerging and Established Markets
David Rebuck, Director of the New Jersey DGE, emphasized the strategic importance of the alliance:
“This MoU reflects our shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of regulatory integrity, and it allows us to mutually benefit from each other’s experiences as gaming markets evolve globally.”
For the UAE, whose GCGRA was only formally established in 2023, the collaboration offers invaluable insights from New Jersey — a jurisdiction widely recognized as a trailblazer in iGaming and sports betting regulation in the US. For New Jersey, the partnership offers a foothold into emerging gaming markets in the Middle East and an opportunity to shape international regulatory standards.
Strengthening Global Integrity and Innovation
The agreement aligns with broader trends in cross-border regulatory cooperation, as global gaming markets become increasingly interconnected. Both parties have expressed an intent to collaborate on responsible gambling frameworks, enforcement protocols, and the adoption of new technologies, such as AI-driven compliance tools and blockchain-based transaction monitoring.
The partnership is seen as a strategic win for both regulators, bolstering their credibility and reinforcing a shared vision of safe, fair, and well-regulated gaming markets.
Industry analysts suggest the move could lay the groundwork for similar bilateral agreements between regulators worldwide as the UAE’s gaming industry scales up under new legislative frameworks.
