The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is set for a reset following significant leadership changes.
The body confirmed that CEO Kevin Mullally has stepped down from his role for personal reasons.
He will be replaced by Jim Murren, the Authority’s current Chairman, who has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Murren will now be tasked with leading the GCGRA’s operations and strategy as it advances the development of the UAE’s commercial gaming sector.
Appointed in September 2023 as the GCGRA’s inaugural CEO, Mullally was instrumental in designing the Authority’s regulatory landscape and guiding it through its formative stages.
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Mullally reflected on his tenure, describing it as “one of the greatest professional honours” of his career.
“Together, we built an efficient, modern regulatory framework that upholds the highest standards of integrity and consumer protection while encouraging and enabling innovative gaming technology,” he said.
“By creating an agile, predictable, and forward-looking regulatory environment, we laid the foundation for responsible innovation and a dynamic future for the industry. I am tremendously proud of this work and confident that it positions the GCGRA well as it advances toward operational maturity.”
Mullally explained that his decision came after a recent trip home to the US, where he and his wife Jerri decided to return to Kansas City to be closer to their family.
“This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for us and our family,” he said. “I remain confident in the strength of the GCGRA, grateful for the dedication of its people, and proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Murren to lead GCGRA
Murren, the former Chair and CEO of MGM Resorts International and current Chair of Resorts World Las Vegas, praised Mullally’s leadership and contribution to the Authority’s early development.
“Kevin has been instrumental in establishing the GCGRA’s core governance and regulatory structure. We thank him for his valuable service and wish him continued success in his future endeavours,” said Murren.
He reaffirmed that the UAE remains committed to regulatory excellence, responsible gaming, and transparency as the GCGRA moves closer to full operational implementation.
The Authority confirmed that all licensing programmes, stakeholder engagements, and operational workstreams will continue without disruption during the transition.
The GCGRA was established to support the UAE’s broader economic diversification and tourism agenda, serving as the federal body responsible for regulating commercial gaming across the Emirates.
To date, the Authority has issued a single land-based casino licence to Wynn Resorts, which is developing the UAE’s first integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in the region of Ras Al Khaimah, expected to open in 2027.
In addition, MGM Resorts is understood to have submitted an application for a casino licence, currently under regulatory review. Industry sources indicate that the proposal centres on MGM’s existing hospitality footprint in Dubai, where it operates non-gaming resorts under the MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria brands in partnership with Wasl Hospitality. A potential casino licence for MGM would further diversify the UAE’s entertainment and tourism offering, aligning with the Authority’s phased approach to market entry and controlled expansion.
Phase-2 saw the GCGRA begin accrediting B2B technology suppliers and vendors, of a new regime including IGT, Scientific Games and Fennica Gaming. The B2B accreditations are expected to include systems certification, gaming content testing, and compliance audits designed to ensure that all licensed entities meet international standards of fairness, security, and responsible gaming.