Published on: November 28, 2024, 06:56h.
Last updated on: November 28, 2024, 06:56h.
The United Arab Emirates recently introduced its own national lottery, making it the first country in the Arabian Peninsula to do so.
The tickets for the UAE Lottery are now available for purchase with a first prize of 100 million dirhams (US$27.2 million). Interested individuals can buy tickets through the official lottery website, and the first draw is scheduled for December 14.
Accessible to Everyone
Several smaller lotteries and raffles in the UAE previously operated in a legal grey area, such as the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket, Mahooz, and the Emirates Draw.
These lotteries mainly catered to the non-Muslim expatriate population in the country. However, the UAE Lottery is the first nationally authorized lottery, open to all residents regardless of nationality.
It is notable because gambling is prohibited in Islam, with the Quran referring to games of chance as a “grave sin” and “abominations of Satan’s handiwork.”
The UAE embodies a unique blend of globalist capitalism, ostentation, Shariah law, and Islamic teachings.
As a wealthy authoritarian state heavily reliant on oil revenue, the UAE recognizes the need to diversify its economy as its oil reserves diminish.
Although all forms of gambling beyond the lottery are illegal, the government is considering the possibility of allowing foreign casino operators to establish a presence in the country.
In contrast to the UAE, other countries in the Middle East like Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon have small, foreigner-only casinos.
Wynn Al Marjan Island
In response to Wynn Resorts’ interest in constructing a hotel casino in the UAE, the government established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in September 2023.
Subsequently, the GCGRA awarded the lottery contract to The Game LLC based in Abu Dhabi, potentially signaling a shift towards liberalizing gambling laws that would be unprecedented in the region.
Wynn Resorts is investing $5.1 billion in anticipation of the legalization of casino gambling in the UAE. The Wynn Al Marjan Island, set to open in 2027, is poised to become the first integrated resort in the Middle East.
Given the country’s substantial wealth, the UAE could rival Singapore in terms of gambling revenue in the future, regardless of whether locals are permitted to participate.