Football to lead UAE betting demand, study finds
TGM Research finds strong football engagement and a 36 per cent informal betting rate, signalling an opportunity for GCGRA‑licensed operators.
Football is set to dominate the UAE’s emerging regulated betting market as authorities prepare to formalise sports wagering under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
According to TGM Research, 36 per cent of consumers bet on sports among friends, while 28 per cent cite legal restrictions as a barrier to formal channels. The report flags 2026 as the year for “full‑scale expansion” of licensed betting
A legal shift is due on June 1, when the UAE’s new Civil Transactions Law removes standalone gambling provisions from the civil code, handing oversight to the GCGRA.
The report reads: “Football is more than just a sport in the UAE; it is a cultural phenomenon.” It further highlights the depth of engagement expected to underpin betting activity.
The shift is expected to bring this activity into licensed environments under a legal framework overseen by the GCGRA. Play971, the first licensed online sports wagering and igaming platform, went live last December under GCGRA approval.
