TLDR
- Ciarán Carruthers has been appointed CEO of the UAE’s gambling regulator, the GCGRA
- He replaces Kevin Mullally, who resigned in November 2024 for family reasons
- Carruthers previously led Crown Resorts in Australia through a major compliance overhaul
- The UAE’s first online gaming site, Play971, went live after Mullally’s departure
- Wynn’s Ras Al Khaimah casino faces a modest delay due to the 2026 Iran conflict
Ciarán Carruthers, a veteran of Asia’s casino industry, has been named the new chief executive of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the UAE.
He becomes the regulator’s second permanent CEO, taking over from Kevin Mullally, who resigned in November 2024 for family reasons. GCGRA Chairman Jim Murren had been serving as interim CEO since then.
Carruthers said he was honoured to “contribute to the continued development of the UAE’s regulatory framework for commercial gaming.”
Murren praised the appointment, saying Carruthers brings “exactly the calibre of leadership this role demands” and highlighted his track record working with governments and regulators across multiple jurisdictions.
Who Is Ciarán Carruthers?
Carruthers has held senior roles at some of Asia’s biggest casino operators, including Galaxy, Sands China, and Wynn Macau. Most recently, he served as CEO of Crown Resorts in Australia, a position he left on December 31, 2024.
At Crown, he led the company through a major clean-up of its anti-money laundering and responsible gambling processes. The company had faced serious scrutiny following the Bergin Report, which found evidence of money laundering and criminal links at its properties.
Under his leadership, Crown retained its Victoria licence in 2024 after the state’s gambling regulator was satisfied past failures were being addressed. Crown Sydney also received a full, unrestricted licence that same year.
The State of the UAE Gaming Market
The GCGRA was established in September 2022 and has overseen the gradual opening of the UAE’s gambling market.
The UAE Lottery launched in December 2024, powered by Momentum-owned The Game LLC. Wynn’s Ras Al Khaimah property secured the first commercial gaming licence in October 2024.
The UAE’s first online gaming site, Play971, went live after Mullally’s departure. It secured internet gaming and sports wagering licences in November 2025. The GCGRA is understood to allow one online licensee per Emirate, mirroring its approach to land-based venues.
Wynn Al-Marjan Island, the first brick-and-mortar casino under development, now faces a modest delay to its planned Q1 2027 opening. CEO Craig Billings told analysts on the company’s Q1 earnings call that the 2026 conflict involving Iran, which has brought pressure on the UAE, is a contributing factor.
It remains unclear when other land-based casino developments will begin construction. Dubai has so far resisted approving a project, but industry sources say US and Asian companies are looking at opportunities in Abu Dhabi.
Regulatory frameworks are expected to continue evolving, and B2B infrastructure such as live dealer studios is also in development as the market matures.
