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Two subsidiaries of Yolo Group have secured essential vendor licenses from the United Arab Emirates’ gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). These licenses will enable the companies to provide B2B gaming content in the UAE’s emerging regulated online gaming market.
Expanding Footprint in the UAE
Hub88 Holdings and Online Gaming Services, the latter encompassing the brands Live88 and Onetouch.io, were awarded the licenses, marking a significant step in Yolo Group’s international expansion efforts. This development places them alongside established operators such as Aristocrat, Novomatic, and IGT, who are also licensed to operate within the UAE’s tightly regulated gaming environment.
The establishment of the GCGRA followed the announcement of Wynn Resorts’ ambitious $2 billion casino resort project in 2022, which only recently received its gaming license in October. The UAE Lottery operator, The Game LLC, was the first entity to be licensed and initiated operations in November, setting a precedent for regulated gaming in the country.
Live88: First Licensed Online Live Casino Studio
One of the highlights of these licenses is that Live88 will be the UAE’s first licensed online live casino studio. This achievement points towards the increasing regulator acceptance of online gaming forms and the diversification effort of the country away from traditional land-based gaming facilities.
Yolo Group’s Vision and Commitment
Yolo Group Founder Tim Heath welcomed the licenses as more than just regulatory achievements but as indicators of the company’s vision and commitment to advancing gaming with innovation and transparency. He emphasized the UAE’s leadership in shaping regulated gaming for the modern age and expressed pride in supporting this evolving market.
Aside from gaming, Yolo Group has also advanced in incorporating cryptocurrency solutions. Significantly, the group added MiCA-compliant crypto payment facilities at its casino, Bombay Club, located in Tallinn, Estonia. This is in line with its visionary method of adopting technology in the gaming and entertainment industries.
Context in the Broader Market Landscape
Yolo Group’s UAE market entry forms part of the wider environment of a growing roster of global suppliers being issued regulatory licenses. Following Aristocrat in October 2024, their first license, other industry giants, including Novomatic, IGT, Scientific Games, Light & Wonder, and Pollard Banknote, have gained their licenses, affirming the UAE’s commitment to having a streamlined and competitive gaming supply market.
Licensing approvals are a testament to ongoing government initiatives to legalize the UAE gaming industry, balancing economic opportunity and international norms of regulation.
Looking Ahead: Building Regulated Gaming Futures
Yolo Group’s latest UAE licensing achievement marks its goal of being at the forefront of regulated gaming innovation. With these licenses, subsidiaries Hub88, Live88, and Onetouch.io are poised to maximize their technology and content in the growing Middle Eastern market.
The UAE’s regulatory structure continues to draw leading global operators and suppliers into a diverse and compliant gaming market. For Yolo Group, the opportunity comes as a means of playing a role in the development of the future of gaming in one of the world’s fastest-developing regulated markets, basing itself on the foundations of trust, innovation, and transparency.
Source: Gambling Insider
