The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has chosen experienced gaming lawyer Jennifer Carleton as its new Chief of Licensing and Investigations. This appointment adds to a string of notable hires as the country develops its rules for commercial gaming.

Jennifer Carleton Brings 30 Years of Legal and Compliance Experience to the UAE’s Gaming Regulator

Carleton brings over 30 years of expertise in gaming law, compliance, and governance to the GCGRA. Prior to her new role, she worked as Chief Legal Officer at Sightline Payments, where she managed adherence to US federal and state regulations on anti-money laundering, the Bank Secrecy Act, and currency control.

Her professional history also includes more than a decade as Senior Staff Attorney for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin as well as partnerships at various US law firms where she guided major casino and entertainment brands on licensing and regulatory issues.

The GCGRA stated that Carleton would play a key part in boosting its pledge to regulatory openness, honesty, and global best practices. The authority stressed that her background has allowed her to form strong bonds with regulators and industry heads across the globe, cementing her standing as a dependable and respected expert in gaming compliance.

Besides her work in the industry, Carleton has added to the academic side of gaming rules. She holds the position of Distinguished Fellow at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Boyd School of Law where she aids in creating courses that focus on Indian law, gaming governance, and the changing legal landscape around digital betting.

GCGRA Prepares for Digital Gaming Era with Carleton’s Appointment

The GCGRA, which began operating in September 2023, has the job of creating a top-notch regulatory system for both national lottery operations and commercial gaming throughout the Emirates. Former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren chairs the authority, while Kevin Mullally serves as chief executive officer. Mullally worked as the Missouri Gaming Commission executive director and spent many years as GLI counsel.

Carleton takes on her role at a crucial moment for the regulator. The GCGRA is now looking into a new licensing system to handle the rise of digital and online gaming. The proposed setup would allow each of the seven emirates to give out one online gaming license as long as local authorities approve. Experts in the field see this as a big move towards creating a unified and managed iGaming scene in the UAE.

Up to now, Wynn Resorts stands as the sole recipient of a license for a physical casino. The company is building a $5 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The addition of Carleton to the GCGRA leadership is likely to boost supervision as the UAE gets ready to put its next stage of gaming regulation into action.