GCGRA appoints Ahmad Hesham as General Counsel and Board Secretary
The regulator’s new General Counsel and Board Secretary previously served as General Counsel to the UAE Federal Government and as vice-president of the Supreme Administrative Court.
The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has appointed Dr Ahmad Hesham as its new general counsel and board secretary, strengthening the legal leadership of the authority as it continues to expand oversight of the UAE’s regulated commercial gaming sector.
The GCGRA announced Hesham’s appointment in a statement on July 21. The regulator said: “Dr Hesham brings more than 25 years of international legal, regulatory and public policy experience, having advised governments, regulators and public institutions on complex legislative and governance matters across multiple jurisdictions.”
The GCGRA announced Dr Hesham’s appointment in a statement on July 21. The regulator said: “Dr. Hesham brings more than 25 years of international legal, regulatory and public policy experience, having advised governments, regulators and public institutions on complex legislative and governance matters across multiple jurisdictions.”
Before joining the GCGRA, Hesham served as general counsel and senior legal adviser to the UAE Federal Government, where he played a leading role in legislative and regulatory reforms, including the UAE Labour Law, the Domestic Workers Law, the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, the Higher Education Law, as well as strategic workforce and Emiratisation initiatives.
The regulator said Hesham has also served as a judge and vice-president of the Supreme Administrative Court and has represented governments and public institutions in regional and international legal and policy forums.
He holds a PhD and two master’s degrees in law and is recognised for his expertise in regulatory governance, legislative drafting, economic regulation, competition law, public policy and institutional reform.
The GCGRA added: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Hesham to GCGRA as we continue to build a robust and internationally respected regulatory framework for commercial gaming in the UAE.”
Established in 2023, the GCGRA continues to oversee the development of the UAE’s regulated commercial gaming sector. The authority is responsible for regulating commercial gaming in the UAE, including developing and enforcing the country’s regulatory framework and licensing operators, suppliers and related businesses.
The appointment follows another recent leadership change at the GCGRA. In June, the authority appointed former Crown Resorts chief executive Ciarán Carruthers as its new CEO, becoming the regulator’s second chief executive as the UAE continues to advance its commercial gaming framework.
