UAE regulator GCGRA puts financial crime prevention and early supervision at the centre of its agenda after IAGR 2026
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority said talks with global peers in Lima reinforced the need for cross-border information-sharing and supervision built into new markets from the start.
Key takeaways:
- The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) attended IAGR 2026 in Lima, Peru, from October 19 to 22.
- The GCGRA said the discussions reinforced two priorities: information-sharing to tackle financial crime and strong supervision from the outset.
- Manuela Croci spoke on an AML/CFT and gambling payments panel, while Sonia Wasowska joined a workshop on designing regulation for newer jurisdictions.
- The talks covered emerging technologies, market integrity, cross-border coordination and the regulation of newly opened markets.
The United Arab Emirates’ commercial gaming regulator said financial crime prevention and early supervision are central to its work, following talks with international counterparts at IAGR 2026 in Lima.
What did the GCGRA say after IAGR 2026?
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) said the conference reinforced its priorities. In a LinkedIn update, the regulator said: “The conference provided a platform for dialogue on emerging technologies, market integrity, financial crime prevention, cross-border coordination, and regulation for newer markets.
“Through their panel contributions and wider exchanges with regulatory peers, Manuela and Sonia shared perspectives from the UAE’s developing commercial gaming framework and exchanged insights with colleagues from long-established jurisdictions and newly regulated markets.
“These discussions reinforced priorities central to our work: close coordination and information-sharing to tackle financial crime, and strong supervision built in from the outset.
“We thank IAGR for bringing the global regulatory community together once again and look forward to continuing the dialogue in the year ahead.”
Who represented the UAE regulator in Lima?
The GCGRA was represented by:
- Manuela Croci, chief of supervision and financial crime prevention, spoke on October 19 on the panel “Follow the money: AML/CFT, gambling payments and organised crime risk”. The session, moderated by Jersey Gambling Commission chief executive Jason Lane, examined how payment flows, beneficial ownership data, suspicious transaction reporting and technology-driven monitoring can help regulators detect criminal risk earlier. Croci was joined by Harris Tsangarides, chief executive officer of the Cyprus Gaming & Casino Supervision Commission, and Anna Scherfig of the Danish Gaming Authority.
- Sonia Wasowska, senior vice president of supervision, took part on October 21 in the workshop “Designing regulation for smaller and newer jurisdictions”. Moderated by Cleveland Allen, CEO of the Casino Gaming Commission of Jamaica, the session focused on how emerging regulators can sequence reforms, build supervisory capability and set clear early compliance expectations. Wasowska shared the panel with representatives of Liquor & Gaming NSW, Great Britain’s Gambling Commission and New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs.
Why is anti-money laundering a priority for the UAE gaming market?
The GCGRA was established in September 2023 as the federal authority responsible for regulating commercial gaming and the national lottery. Its first casino licence went to Wynn Resorts for the Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn has scheduled the opening of the resort for September 2027.
AML has also been a national policy focus. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed the UAE from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, known as the “grey list”, in February 2024. As a result, the integrity of new gaming activity is closely watched by regulators and international partners.
What was IAGR 2026 about?
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) held its 2026 conference in Lima, Peru, from October 19 to 22, under the theme “Steady Hands, Shifting Ground: Advancing Regulation in a Connected World”. The event brought together gaming regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges shaping the global gaming sector.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is the GCGRA? The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority is the UAE’s federal regulator for commercial gaming and the national lottery, established in 2023.
- What priorities did the GCGRA highlight after IAGR 2026? Close coordination and information-sharing to tackle financial crime, and strong supervision built in from the outset.
- Where and when was IAGR 2026 held? In Lima, Peru, from October 19 to 22, 2026.
- Who represented the GCGRA at IAGR 2026? Manuela Croci, who spoke on an AML/CFT panel on October 19, and Sonia Wasowska, who took part in a workshop on regulation for newer jurisdictions on October 21.
