In a statement announcing the agreement, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority to create a structured basis for collaboration on supervisory responsibilities. The pact covers supervisory coordination, policy dialogue, investigative assistance and the exchange of regulatory information, all conducted in line with applicable laws and strict confidentiality requirements. It supports effective oversight of regulated entities while preserving the statutory independence of each authority and seeks to build regulatory certainty for participants across ADGM and the wider UAE financial ecosystem.
Emmanuel Givanakis, chief executive officer of the FSRA, said in the statement, “This MoU between the FSRA and the GCGRA represents an important step in strengthening regulatory cooperation and our shared commitment to regulatory excellence. Effective collaboration between regulators is fundamental to preserving market integrity, addressing emerging risks and ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve alongside innovation. As financial services and adjacent sectors become increasingly interconnected, close cooperation between competent authorities enhances our collective ability to support responsible growth while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and consumer protection.” The remarks underscored the growing links between financial services and emerging sectors.
Ciarán Carruthers, chief executive officer of the GCGRA, said in the same announcement, “Commercial gaming is one of the newest regulated sectors in the UAE, and its credibility will be built through exactly this kind of cooperation. This MoU gives GCGRA and the FSRA a clear channel to share information and coordinate supervision where our respective mandates intersect, which matters as the sector grows and the range of participants operating in and around it becomes more complex. The UAE’s reputation as a well-regulated jurisdiction rests on regulators working in step with one another, and this agreement gives that relationship a formal foundation to build on.” Carruthers’ comments highlighted the relative novelty of federal oversight in commercial gaming.
The GCGRA website states that the authority was established by federal decree in September 2023 and holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities across the UAE. Its mandate focuses on fostering sustainable growth through world-class operations grounded in integrity, innovation and responsible practices. The partnership with the FSRA is intended to address areas where financial oversight intersects with gaming activities.
According to the joint statement, the agreement reflects broader efforts by both bodies to promote a transparent, internationally aligned regulatory environment that supports responsible innovation and market development. ADGM, described in the release as the largest international financial centre in the Middle East and Africa by number of active licences, applies English common law and connects the MEASA region with global markets. The FSRA’s role in supervising a diverse range of financial entities makes the cooperation particularly relevant as the gaming sector expands.
Mordor Intelligence data shows the Middle East gaming market stood at $5.14 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $9.32 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 12.66 percent. This trajectory illustrates the increasing complexity of participants and services that the new cooperation framework seeks to address. The MoU arrives as the UAE builds on initial commercial gaming licenses issued in recent years and continues to refine its federal regulatory approach.
