The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially launched its first national lottery, marking the introduction of legal gambling in the nation. Named Lucky Day, the inaugural draw is set for December 14, featuring a grand jackpot of AED100 million (US$27.2 million).
Tickets for the draw are available online for AED50 (US$13.6), alongside scratchcards priced between AED5 and AED50, offering prizes from AED50,000 to AED1 million.
The UAE Lottery is managed by The Game LLC, a subsidiary of Momentum, which was granted a lottery license by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in July. In October, Smartplay International received a vendor license to support operations.
Bishop Woosley, director of lottery operations at The Game LLC and former head of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, said:
Our mission at The UAE Lottery is to inspire people to dream big, reflecting our slogan, ‘Dare to Imagine.’ We aim to deliver thrilling experiences while promoting responsible play. After a thorough evaluation by the GCGRA, our team remains steadfast in ensuring all operations adhere to global standards, guaranteeing fairness and transparency throughout the draw and winner selection process.
The GCGRA, established in September 2023, is led by Kevin Mullally, a veteran in U.S. gambling regulation. In October, the authority granted Wynn Resorts a commercial gaming facility operator license for Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn has reported steady progress on the project, with 55% of structural concrete completed and construction advancing at a rate of one floor per week. The resort is expected to be topped off by December 2025.
Meanwhile, MGM Resorts has submitted an application to operate a land-based casino in Abu Dhabi, signaling further expansion of the UAE’s gaming landscape.
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