How To Get a Gaming License in Dubai (2026 Guide)

By Adil Ahmad | Updated: Feb 2026 | Category: Business Setup

Gaming License in Dubai: What It Means in 2026

Dubai has become one of the fastest-growing markets for gaming businesses in the Middle East. Whether you are building games, running esports events, or operating a gaming lounge, the UAE has a clear path for each type of business. But the word “gaming” covers very different things legally, and understanding the difference is the first thing you need to do before starting.

There are two distinct tracks for a gaming business in Dubai. The first is the game development, esports, and gaming content track. This covers studios building games, teams managing esports players, businesses producing gaming content or streaming, and companies selling gaming software or SaaS tools. These businesses register through standard mainland or free zone licensing; no special gaming regulator is involved.

The second track is commercial gaming. This includes internet gaming platforms, sports wagering, lotteries, and land-based gaming facilities. These activities fall under the authority of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the UAE’s dedicated regulator for commercial gaming. This distinction matters enormously. Using the wrong language in your license application or applying through the wrong channel will significantly delay your setup.

Do You Need GCGRA Approval?

The GCGRA was established to regulate commercial gaming activities across the UAE. If your business involves any form of wagering, betting, lottery operations, internet gaming platforms where real money is involved, or land-based gaming facilities, you need to go through the GCGRA licensing process before you can legally operate.

The GCGRA has its own license types designed for different commercial gaming models. These include operator, supplier, and service provider licenses, depending on your role in the gaming ecosystem. The process involves submitting a formal application, providing detailed business and compliance documentation, and undergoing regulatory review. GCGRA licensing for commercial gaming typically takes considerably longer than standard business licensing, and the compliance and capital requirements are on a different scale entirely.

If your business is purely game development, esports, gaming software, or content production, you do not need GCGRA approval. You simply need a correctly structured trade license from the mainland or a relevant free zone. Confusing these two tracks is one of the most common and costly mistakes founders make when starting a gaming business in Dubai.

Which Gaming Business Models Can Be Licensed in Dubai?

Dubai supports a wide range of gaming-related business activities. Here is how the main models work:

Game Development Studio — Building mobile games, PC games, console titles, or browser-based games. This is a standard software development activity that can be licensed through mainland DET or through free zones such as twofour54, Dubai Internet City (DIC), or IFZA.

Esports Business Dubai — Managing esports teams, organising tournaments, or running competitive gaming events. This falls under event management or sports management, and can be set up through mainland or relevant free zones.

Gaming Content Creation and Production — Streaming, video production, and gaming media businesses. These are registered under media production or digital content activity codes, often through free zones with media licences.

Gaming Software and SaaS Tools — Companies building back-end gaming tools, analytics platforms, or game engine solutions register under software development or technology services activities.

Gaming Lounge or Cafe Concept — Physical gaming venues are a more complex setup. They require a commercial space, compliance with local municipal regulations, and careful selection of activities. This model requires thorough due diligence before proceeding.

Commercial Gaming Platforms — Internet gaming, wagering, and lottery operators require full GCGRA licensing. Standard business licensing is not sufficient.

Before choosing your activity, check these points:

• Does your business involve real-money wagering or gambling? If yes, GCGRA applies.
• Will you serve UAE mainland clients directly? If yes, consider mainland DET licensing.
• Is your market primarily international or free zone-based? A free zone license may work.
• Do you need a media or content licence in addition to your tech licence? Some gaming content businesses require both.

Mainland vs Free Zone for a Gaming Company

Choosing between the mainland and the free zone is one of the most practical decisions in the process of setting up your gaming company in the UAE. Both are valid, but they serve different needs.

Mainland via the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai

Commonly referred to as DED Dubai, it is the right choice for UAE-based businesses, government entities, and physical customers across Dubai and the Emirates. Mainland licensing gives you the freedom to operate anywhere in the UAE without geographic restriction. Following recent UAE ownership reforms, most gaming and technology activities now allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland with no local sponsor required.

Free zone licensing

Suit founders who are building international products, serving global clients, or want to keep setup costs manageable at the early stage. Free zones like Dubai Internet City, DMCC, twofour54, and IFZA are popular for game development company Dubai setups and esports businesses. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and streamlined setup processes.

Quick decision guide:

• Mainland, if your clients are UAE-based companies or government entities
• Mainland, if you need to operate a physical gaming lounge accessible to the public
• Free zone if you are building a game studio or esports brand with an international focus
• Free zone if you want a lower initial setup cost with flexi desk options
• GCGRA process if your model involves any form of commercial gaming, regardless of zone
  

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Gaming License in Dubai

Follow these steps to avoid unnecessary delays:

• Step 1 — Define Your Activity: Be precise. Write “game development,” not “gaming services.” Write “esports event management,” not “gaming business.” Vague activity wording leads to rejections and later banking problems.
• Step 2 — Choose Your Jurisdiction: Mainland DET or a free zone that matches your activity type. For media-heavy gaming businesses, media-free zones work best. For tech-focused studios, technology-free zones are ideal.
• Step 3 — Reserve Your Trade Name: Submit your company name for approval through your chosen authority. Names must comply with UAE naming rules — no offensive terms, no government references, no misleading descriptions.
• Step 4 — Apply for Initial Approval: Get preliminary sign-off before investing in office space or completing all documentation. This confirms your activity and name are accepted.
• Step 5 — Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documents (see checklist below) and ensure they are complete before submission to avoid delays and back-and-forth.
• Step 6 — Arrange Office or Flexi Desk: Sign your lease agreement. Free zones typically offer flexi desk options for early-stage companies. Mainland requires an Ejari-registered tenancy contract.
• Step 7 — Pay License Fees and Register: Submit payment and complete registration formalities with the relevant authority.
• Step 8 — Post-License Steps: Register your establishment card, apply for investor or employee visas, and open a corporate bank account.

Documents Checklist

Having clean, complete documents ready before you start saves weeks. Most jurisdictions ask for:

• Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid, full scan, clear)
• Passport-size photographs of all shareholders
• Proof of residential address — recent utility bill or bank statement
• UAE visa copy and Emirates ID (if you are already inside the UAE)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer if you are on an employment visa
• Business plan or activity summary describing your gaming model and target market
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) — prepared during registration
• Trade name reservation certificate
• Office lease agreement or flexi desk contract
• Shareholder documents — for corporate shareholders, trade license, and board resolution of the parent company

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. For GCGRA commercial gaming applications, significantly more compliance documentation is required. Confirm exact requirements with your chosen authority or a registered business setup consultant.

Cost of a Gaming License in Dubai

There is no single fixed cost for a gaming license in Dubai. Your total investment depends on the type of gaming activity, the jurisdiction, the visa count, and the office arrangement. Based on typical market ranges shared by consultants:

Game development and esports setups in free zones can range from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 for the first year, covering license, registration, and a flexi desk. Rizmona notes that gaming setup costs can range from around AED 25,000 to AED 150,000 or more in the first year, depending on the model, from free zone development setups to commercial-scale operations. BusinessSetupExperts indicates trade license costs can range from AED 10,000 to AED 50,000, depending on the activity and zone, with additional costs for office space, equipment, marketing, and compliance.

These are market estimates only. Costs can change. Confirm with the relevant authority or free zone.

Main cost buckets to plan for:

• Trade license and registration fees
• Office lease or flexi desk
• Visa fees per employee or partner
• Bank account setup requirements
• Equipment and infrastructure (for gaming lounges or studios)
• Marketing and brand launch
• Compliance and legal advisory (especially for commercial gaming)

What makes costs go up:

• Higher visa quota requires a larger office space
• Premium free zone or business district address
• Multiple activity registrations
• GCGRA commercial gaming licensing requirements
• Legal and compliance advisory for regulated activities

Timelines: What to Expect

For standard game development, esports, and gaming software setups, the licensing process typically takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on document readiness and the specific free zone or mainland process. Free zones with online portals and clear requirements tend to move faster.

For commercial gaming businesses requiring GCGRA approval, the timeline is considerably longer. The regulatory review process involves detailed scrutiny of your compliance framework, financial standing, and operational plan. Expect a multi-month process at a minimum. Plan your capital runway accordingly.

Delays almost always come from incomplete documents, unclear activity descriptions, or office arrangement issues, not from the authority processing time itself.

Common Mistakes That Delay Approvals

Getting your gaming license in Dubai delayed is almost always avoidable. Here are the most frequent mistakes:

• Wrong activity selection is the number one cause of delays. Using generic terms like “gaming business” or “entertainment services” instead of specific activity codes creates confusion and leads to rejections.
• Mixing commercial gaming language into a game development application triggers regulatory flags. If your business is a game studio, never use terms like “wagering,” “betting,” or “gaming platform” in your activity description or business plan.
• Poor banking preparation is a serious issue. UAE banks scrutinise gaming-related businesses carefully. Your business plan must clearly explain your revenue model, client types, and compliance approach. Weak preparation leads to account rejection.
• Office and lease mismatch — applying for more visas than your office space allows, or using a virtual address that does not satisfy your jurisdiction’s requirements.
• Unclear ownership and partner structure — inconsistent shareholder documents or unclear director roles cause repeated review cycles. Get your MOA and shareholder structure right from the start.

FAQ

Can foreigners own 100% of a gaming company in Dubai?

Yes. Most free zones and the majority of mainland activity categories now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required.

Does GCGRA approval apply to game development?

No. Game development, esports, and gaming software businesses do not require GCGRA licensing. GCGRA applies only to commercial gaming activities, such as wagering, lotteries, and real-money internet gaming platforms.

Is mainland or free zone better for a gaming company?

It depends on your model. Mainland suits companies serving UAE clients directly or operating physical venues. Free zones suit international game studios, esports brands, and SaaS platforms.

Do I need a physical office, or will a flexi desk work?

Many free zones accept a flexi desk for license issuance. If you need multiple visas, you may need a larger space. Mainland licensing requires an Ejari-registered tenancy contract.

Can I sponsor employee visas under a gaming license?

Yes. Once your license is issued and your establishment card is in hand, you can sponsor employee and investor visas. The visa quota depends on your office size.

How much does a gaming license cost in 2026?

Market estimates range from AED 15,000 to AED 150,000+, depending on activity type, jurisdiction, visa needs, and office setup. Costs can change; confirm with the relevant authority or free zone.

How long does the setup process take?

Standard gaming and esports businesses: typically a few days to a few weeks. Commercial gaming with GCGRA involvement: significantly longer. Document readiness is the biggest factor.

Can I open a corporate bank account with a gaming license?

Yes, but UAE banks apply additional scrutiny to gaming-related businesses. A strong business plan, clean compliance documentation, and a clear revenue model are essential for smooth bank onboarding.

Can I combine game development and esports activities under one license?

In many cases, yes, depending on the jurisdiction. Some free zones allow multiple related activity codes under one license. Confirm with your chosen free zone or consultant.

Is a gaming lounge or cafe the same licensing process as a game studio?

No. A gaming lounge requires a physical commercial space, municipality compliance, and is subject to different activity codes. It is a more complex setup than a software or esports business.

Start Your Gaming Business in Dubai with Incorpyfy

Getting the right gaming license in Dubai means getting two things right: choosing the correct track (game business vs commercial gaming) and selecting the jurisdiction that fits your actual model and client base. A wrong choice at the start adds cost, delays, and compliance risk.

Incorpyfy helps founders set up gaming businesses across the UAE, from esports business Dubai registrations and game development company Dubai setups to gaming software licensing and commercial gaming advisory for GCGRA-regulated activities. Whether you are launching a gaming company in the UAE through mainland DET, Dubai Internet City, DMCC, IFZA, or twofour54, we provide a clear plan tailored to your ownership structure, visa needs, client geography, and activity type.

Our team covers the entire process, including trade name reservation, initial approval, MOA preparation, flexi desk and office space solutions, shareholder and director structuring, investor visa eligibility, and corporate bank account readiness. We also advise on compliance requirements, data protection obligations, and the GCGRA licensing process for commercial gaming operators in the UAE.

Want help picking the right license path for your gaming business? We can review your model and suggest the right setup.

About the Author

Adil Ahmad is a UAE business setup specialist at Incorpyfy with deep experience helping entrepreneurs launch gaming, technology, and media companies across the Emirates. His expertise spans gaming license in Dubai applications, esports business Dubai registration, game development company Dubai setups, and gaming company setup UAE across all major jurisdictions. Adil advises clients on mainland vs free zone decisions, 100% foreign ownership structuring, GCGRA licensing process navigation for commercial gaming UAE, free zone license Dubai options including Dubai Internet City, DMCC, IFZA, and twofour54, office space requirement planning, flexi desk solutions, trade name reservation, initial approval workflows, MOA and shareholder documents preparation, visa eligibility and investor visa processing, and corporate bank account onboarding. He regularly supports founders dealing with compliance requirements, DET Dubai license applications, and post-license scaling across the UAE.