An exciting new frontier

I’m proud to share that after years of hard work, two Yolo Group companies have been granted B2B licences to operate in the United Arab Emirates’s fully regulated nascent gaming market.

https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/licensing/our-licensees/

This achievement is not only a brilliant milestone for us, but also a signal of where Yolo Group is heading as a business. We believe that the future of iGaming lies in best-in-class regulated markets – jurisdictions that combine clarity, transparency and innovation.

It marks the beginning of a broader pivot. We are targeting the best-in-class regulated markets in the world; markets that are serious about both consumer protection and unlocking the potential of innovation, including through crypto and blockchain. The UAE is leading this wave, and we are proud to be part of it.

The advantages of operating under strong regulatory frameworks aren’t just limited to compliance – it’s about creating trust and building sustainable businesses.

Regulation builds trust. It reassures players, partners, and investors that businesses like ours are deeply committed to safety. That trust is what unlocks the ability to innovate with confidence, to scale responsibly, and attract global partners.

We also see regulation as a competitive advantage. By entering the most progressive markets early, we are positioning ourselves as a first mover. I believe we can help shape emerging standards, collaborate closely with regulators, and set the bar for what regulated iGaming and blockchain-powered experiences should look like. We are choosing to lead from the front.

Our strategy is increasingly centered on building markets where best practices are not operational, but essential. Estonia, where we have long been headquartered, set the tone early by creating one of the world’s most transparent licensing regimes.

The UAE now joins that list. In addition to the considered model adopted by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), UAE institutions like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) have created a wider regulatory framework that is both fair and transparent. For this and other reasons, I’m pleased to announce, Yolo Investments have recently started the process to set up their Fund 3, in ADGM, with a €250m fund focused on Fintech, Blockchain, Wellness and Gaming infrastructure.

What makes the UAE’s model so compelling is exactly this emphasis on balance. It recognises the vast potential of iGaming while ensuring strong consumer safeguards. It’s a combination that is already attracting global players and positioning the country as a magnet for innovation in the iGaming space.

For us, obtaining these licences is not just a badge of credibility – it’s a strategic opportunity. Live88 have set up a live dealer studio in Abu Dhabi and is the first of its kind to be licensed in the UAE. Hub88 will be the first Aggregator to be licensed in the UAE ensuring a seamless supply of third party, licensed content to B2C licensed operators. It allows Yolo Group to build gaming experiences with a high degree of trust, security and confidence. It provides a strong foundation to push forward with new disruptive ideas, from ownership models to interoperability, to totally reimagining how players engage and play.

I think, and I hope, that the UAE’s progress is part of a larger regional shift. Across the GCC countries are now actively exploring how to engage with the gaming and digital assets world. The UAE is the standout leader in the region embracing the new possibilities, whilst Bahrain was among the first to open its doors with crypto regulations, and Saudi Arabia is now seriously considering how to embrace and regulate the sector. These shifts could set the stage for the GCC to become a bridge between East and West in gaming markets and cryptocurrency innovation. With strong financial hubs, a deep commitment to investment and technology, and regulatory frameworks that prioritise consumer protection, the region has every opportunity to lead the industry into an exciting new age.

For Yolo Group, this moment is both a validation of our work and a launchpad for what comes next. Our strategy is clear: align ourselves with the best-regulated markets in the world, contribute to their ecosystems, and help shape the future of gaming responsibly.

We are honoured to be part of the UAE’s journey, and excited about the role the Gulf region will play in driving global innovation in digital assets and iGaming. For Yolo Group, it is the beginning of a new era.