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Canada’s Pollard Banknote has joined the list of approved vendors in the UAE, gaining early access to one of the industry’s most closely watched new markets.
Pollard Banknote has officially been granted a gaming-related vendor licence by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the United Arab Emirates. The move allows the Canadian company to supply its full portfolio of lottery and gaming products to regulated operators across the country.
It’s a key step forward as the UAE lays the groundwork for a structured and licensed gaming environment. Pollard’s approval is one of several early moves shaping the UAE’s emerging framework. As detailed in Scientific Games Secures UAE Supplier License, global lottery and gaming vendors are being welcomed into the market ahead of full regulatory rollout.
From Canada to the Gulf: A new chapter opens
The licence puts Pollard Banknote in the right place at the right time, as the UAE moves closer to launching a regulated gaming sector.
The vendor licence enables Pollard to offer instant tickets, digital gaming products, and retail merchandising solutions within the UAE’s new commercial gaming framework. The GCGRA, formed last year, is overseeing all aspects of regulation and licensing for both lottery and gaming operations.
Pollard’s track record spans over 60 lottery partnerships worldwide, including state-run and charitable operators in North America, Europe, and now the Middle East.
Company leadership signals strong interest in the region
Pollard sees the UAE licence not just as access, but as an opportunity to help shape the market from day one.
Co-CEO Doug Pollard said the company is eager to build partnerships across the UAE and bring its expertise to a new audience. In his words, the goal is to grow revenue for operators while also supporting charitable programmes, a key objective in many of the firm’s international markets.
More than tickets: Pollard’s offer spans digital and retail
With over a century in business, Pollard Banknote offers more than just printed products, it’s a full-service lottery supplier.
Founded in 1907, the company has grown into a major player in the global lottery supply chain. It manufactures instant tickets, develops digital games, and manages retail displays through subsidiaries such as Schafer Retail Solutions and American Games/International Gamco.
Pollard also supports the charitable gaming market in North America with products like pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and electronic devices.
Vendor list in the UAE is growing fast
Pollard is joining a group of top suppliers that are laying the foundation for future growth in the region.
The GCGRA has also issued vendor licences to several industry giants, including NOVOMATIC, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, Scientific Games, Aristocrat, Konami Gaming and Light & Wonder, as covered in Light & Wonder secures UAE Supplier Licence. These early approvals suggest the UAE is steadily building out its vendor ecosystem ahead of wider regulatory announcements.
Why this matters for operators
Vendor approvals are often the first signs that a market is preparing for full commercial activity, and the UAE is clearly moving in that direction.
While no official word has been given on operator licensing, the structure is starting to take shape. By approving global vendors early, the GCGRA is signalling long-term plans for a regulated environment built on transparency, compliance, and responsible growth.
For Pollard Banknote, the licence is not just a badge of approval, it’s a long-term bet on where the industry is heading next.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief
