The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has announced a leadership transition, confirming that Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mullally has stepped down from his position for personal reasons. The Authority’s Chairman, Jim Murren, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Established in September 2023, the GCGRA serves as the UAE’s federal body responsible for regulating the commercial gaming sector. Mullally, who was appointed as the Authority’s inaugural CEO at its founding, played a key role in developing its foundational regulatory framework and aligning its governance with international best practices.
In a social media post, Mullaly noted that “Together, we built an efficient, modern regulatory framework that upholds the highest standards of integrity and consumer protection while encouraging and enabling innovative gaming technology. By creating an agile, predictable, and forward-looking regulatory environment, we laid the foundation for responsible innovation and a dynamic future for the industry. I am tremendously proud of this work and confident that it positions the GCGRA well as it advances toward operational maturity.”
In a statement, Murren praised Mullally’s contributions, saying, “Kevin has played a significant role in the Authority’s early development, helping to establish its core governance and regulatory structure. We thank him for his contribution and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
Murren, who previously served as Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International and is now Chairman of Resorts World Las Vegas, will oversee the Authority’s ongoing operations and strategic direction during the transition. He emphasized that the UAE remains committed to regulatory excellence, responsible gaming, and maintaining confidence in its emerging commercial gaming framework.
The Authority confirmed that its operations, licensing programs, and stakeholder engagements will continue without interruption under the Executive Leadership Team’s guidance, as the GCGRA advances its mandate to support the UAE’s economic diversification and tourism growth.
Currently, the GCGRA has issued one land-based casino license to Wynn Resorts, which will launch the country’s first integrated resort in 2027. MGM Resorts has also applied for a casino license, which remains under review.
