gaming licensing
legal betting frameworks
In the rapidly evolving gaming sector, securing legal access to high-growth markets can determine long-term success. At GSI, our approach to gaming compliance is built on structure, transparency, and strategic foresight. As regulators across the Middle East begin formalizing licensing frameworks for digital and physical gaming, we help operators seize new opportunities, lawfully and securely.
Our
services
licensing
strategy
We guide clients through the licensing process from end to end, including identifying the proper regulatory body, aligning with UAE gaming policy, and preparing license applications with supporting legal documentation. Our team also assists in drafting operational plans and financial models often required for regulator review, ensuring all aspects of the license application are complete and compelling.
corporate
structuring
We advise gaming operators on optimal business structures for regional compliance, including local sponsorship models, tax efficiency, and regulatory compatibility. Our structuring strategies are informed by regional precedent, ensuring our clients’ gaming entities are built to scale and remain compliant with shifting oversight landscapes in the lucrative but heavily regulated markets of the Middle East.
regulatory
advocacy
GSI represents clients in formal and informal regulatory discussions across the UAE and GCC. Our firm provides ongoing policy monitoring and can proactively advocate for clients during rulemaking consultations or pre-approval negotiations. We also help clients build and document the necessary internal frameworks to comply with local and international standards as AML, CFT, and player protection laws evolve.
Case Study
betfred
GSI worked with Office Of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum Investment serving as legal advisor to Betfred, a leading global sportsbook and gaming operator, during its application for an online gaming license in UAE. With limited public precedent and a highly sensitive regulatory environment, Betfred sought GSI’s assistance in mapping the legal pathways available for digital gaming operators under UAE law. Our firm coordinated across stakeholders, drafted and submitted supporting legal opinions, and engaged directly with relevant UAE authorities to advocate for regulatory clarity. We also developed a full compliance architecture for Betfred’s UAE-facing operations, including AML/CFT protocols, player onboarding systems, and a responsible gaming framework compliant with local expectations. The result was a successful licensing application and the formal entry of a Tier 1 gaming brand into a complex but promising jurisdiction, executed with full transparency and legal alignment.