Momentum Signals UAE iGaming Ambitions with Key Online Casino and Sports Betting Hires

Momentum, the operator of The Game—recognized as the UAE’s National Lottery—has posted a series of senior job vacancies that strongly suggest an impending expansion into the iGaming sector. The move comes less than a year after the introduction of the country’s first regulatory framework for commercial gaming, and positions the company at the forefront of what could become a significant evolution in the UAE’s gaming landscape.

The company recently advertised three pivotal roles: Commercial Director, Casino Games Manager, and Data Analyst. Each posting indicates a deliberate push into the realm of online casino gaming and sports wagering, sectors that remain largely untapped in the region under current regulations.

Momentum describes itself in the job listing for Commercial Director as an “ambitious, early-stage online casino and sports book brand preparing to launch.” The role is geared toward shaping the commercial trajectory of the brand, with a clear focus on positioning it competitively within the emerging iGaming market.

In a separate listing, the company is seeking a Casino Games Manager who will “help our casino become the home of the best games content.” This role is evidently aimed at ensuring a high-quality gaming experience, suggesting plans to develop a content-rich online casino offering.

The third advertised position, a Data Analyst, underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making in what Momentum refers to as its growing iGaming business. The responsibilities associated with this role revolve around using analytics to support customer engagement, optimize performance, and guide strategic planning.

Momentum was granted the exclusive license to operate The Game in July 2024. The license falls under the authority of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which was established in 2023 and serves as the overarching body for the UAE’s commercial gaming activities. The GCGRA is responsible for issuing a range of licenses, including those for lottery operations, land-based casino ventures, internet-based gaming platforms, sports wagering, and gaming-related service providers.

To date, only one physical casino license has been issued—to the developer of the Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort in Ras Al Khaimah. However, no licenses for online gaming or sports betting have yet been formally granted. This regulatory vacuum has left the industry waiting, though Momentum’s recent recruitment drive could signal that change may be on the horizon.

Industry analysts have long speculated that the UAE could soon embrace regulated sports betting as a means of further enhancing fan participation and unlocking commercial opportunities. The country’s packed sports calendar, which features globally significant events such as the UFC, the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the Dubai World Cup, presents fertile ground for a legal and regulated wagering environment.

By initiating recruitment for leadership and analytics roles in online gaming and sports betting, Momentum appears to be laying the groundwork for entry into a market that, while currently undefined, holds significant potential. Whether the job postings are merely preparatory or foreshadow a broader regulatory shift remains to be seen—but the company’s intentions are now unmistakably clear.

By fLEXI tEAM