New General Counsel Appointed at GCGRA in the UAE
Dr. Ahmed Heshan has become the new General Counsel and Secretary of the GCGRA Board, bringing over 25 years of experience in law and policy.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has appointed Dr. Ahmed Heshan as its General Counsel and Secretary of the Board. Dr. Heshan brings with him over 25 years of extensive experience in law, regulation, and public policy across various jurisdictions.
Experience and Achievements of Dr. Ahmed Heshan
Prior to joining GCGRA, Dr. Heshan served as General Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor to the Federal Government of the UAE. He played a key role in the development and implementation of legislative reforms such as the UAE Labor Code, the Domestic Workers Law, the Unemployment Insurance Program, and the Higher Education Law. Dr. Heshan's educational credentials are impressive: he holds a doctorate along with two master's degrees in law.
In addition, Dr. Heshan has held various judicial positions, including Vice-President of the Supreme Administrative Court, and represented governments and public institutions at regional and international forums.
Role of GCGRA in Gaming Regulation
Established in 2023, GCGRA is responsible for coordinating gaming regulation in the Emirates, including managing licensing. In their statement on Tuesday, the authority emphasized that Dr. Heshan’s appointment will enhance their expertise as they continue to build a robust and internationally recognized regulatory framework.
Development of the Gaming Market in the UAE
Dr. Heshan joins Asian gaming expert Kiaran Carruthers, who was appointed the second permanent CEO of the regulator last month. "The UAE is setting global standards for modern and responsible gaming regulations, and I look forward to working closely with the team, licensees, and government partners to achieve these ambitions," Carruthers noted upon his appointment. He replaced Kevin Mallally, who left in November of last year.
The appointment comes amid accelerated efforts by the UAE to commercialize regulated gaming, including licensing various online and retail vendors as well as launching the first UAE online gaming site, Play971. The operator Momentum was awarded licenses for internet gaming and sports betting to operate within the UAE in November 2025.
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Татьяна Грекова
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Татьяна Грекова tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and enforcement — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the regulatory maps of the CIS and the Americas. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures exactly as published. Compliance teams read Татьяна Грекова to catch a rulebook moving before their next board meeting.
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