GCGRA of the United Arab Emirates Appoints New General Counsel
Dr. Ahmad Hesham joins the GCGRA as General Counsel and Board Secretary, bringing over 25 years of legal and regulatory experience.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has appointed Dr. Ahmad Hesham as its new General Counsel and Board Secretary. With over 25 years of experience in law, regulation, and public policy across various jurisdictions, Dr. Hesham has served as General Counsel and Chief Legal Advisor to the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, where he developed and implemented key legislative reforms such as the UAE Labor Law, the Domestic Workers Law, the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and the Higher Education Law. He holds a doctorate and two master's degrees in law.
Expansion of Regulation in the UAE
The GCGRA, established in 2023, is responsible for coordinating the regulation of gambling in the UAE, including license management. According to a statement made on Tuesday, the GCGRA emphasized that the addition of Dr. Hesham will strengthen its capacity "as we continue to build a robust and internationally respected regulatory framework for commercial gaming in the UAE."
Leadership Changes
Alongside Dr. Hesham, Ciarán Carruthers, a veteran of the gaming sector in Asia, has been appointed as the second permanent CEO of the regulator last month. "The UAE is establishing itself as a global benchmark for modern and responsible gaming regulation, and I look forward to working closely with the team, licensees, and governmental partners to fulfill that ambition," commented Carruthers upon his appointment. Carruthers replaces Kevin Mullally, who resigned in November of last year.
Progress Towards Commercialization
Dr. Hesham's appointment coincides with the UAE's accelerated efforts to commercialize regulated gaming, including granting licenses to several online and retail providers and launching the country's first online gaming site, Play971. The parent company, Momentum, secured licenses to operate online gaming and sports betting in November 2025.
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Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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