Momentum, the Abu Dhabi-based operator behind the UAE’s national lottery, has posted job ads for three online casino and sports betting roles, a sign of possible expansion of legalized gaming just one year after the country’s regulators first issued licenses.
A job ad for a commercial director, posted three weeks ago, described Momentum as: “An ambitious, early-stage online casino and sports book brand preparing to launch.”
In the post for the casino games manager role, Momentum writes: “We’re looking for a Casino Games Manager who’s ready to help our casino become the home of the best games content.”
The data analyst role states: “As a direct member of the Casino team and the broader distributed Analytics team, you’ll help grow Momentum’s iGaming Casino business.”
Momentum was awarded the exclusive license to operate The Game, the UAE’s national lottery brand, in July 2024, the same month authorities first published rules for gaming in the country.
Like all licensed operators, Momentum falls under the oversight of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body created in 2023 to regulate all forms of commercial gaming in the UAE.
The GCGRA and Momentum did not respond to Skift’s request for comment.
The GCGRA issues five license types: lottery operations, land-based gaming facilities, internet gaming platforms, gaming-related vendors, and sports wagering operators.
Only one company, the developer behind the upcoming Wynn resort in Ras Al Khaimah, holds a physical casino license. No entity has licenses for online gaming or sports betting yet.
A regulated betting product could increase fan engagement and sponsorship opportunities.
The UAE has a growing sports calendar that includes: The UFC, F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA Abu Dhabi Games, and Dubai’s flagship events such as the Dubai World Cup.