Ciarán Carruthers has been appointed as the new CEO of the UAE's gambling regulator, GCGRA, making him the second permanent CEO to hold this position. Carruthers expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, stating he is honored to contribute to the ongoing development of the UAE's regulatory framework for commercial gaming. He emphasized the UAE's ambition to set a global standard for modern and responsible gaming regulations and looks forward to collaborating with the team, licensees, and government partners to achieve this goal.
He takes over from Kevin Mullally, who was the first CEO of GCGRA from its establishment in September 2022 until his resignation in November 2023 due to family reasons. Following Mullally's departure, GCGRA Chairman Jim Murren served as interim CEO.
Murren praised Carruthers' leadership abilities, noting, "Ciarán brings exactly the caliber of leadership this role demands. His track record of building trust with governments, regulators, and industry partners across multiple jurisdictions is exceptional. The future of gaming regulation in the UAE is in exceptional hands. Welcome, Ciarán."
As GCGRA's second CEO, Carruthers steps in during a pivotal time. Under Mullally's leadership, the regulator oversaw the launch of the UAE gambling market. Notably, the UAE Lottery, developed by Momentum-owned The Game LLC, debuted in December 2024. Additionally, Wynn's resort in Ras Al Khaimah received the first commercial gaming license in October of that year.
After Mullally's exit, the UAE's inaugural online gaming platform, Play971, went live. This site, another venture from Momentum, obtained licenses for internet gaming and sports betting in November 2025. The GCGRA plans to limit online gaming licenses to one per Emirate, mirroring its approach for land-based gaming establishments.
Carruthers is a seasoned casino executive with experience at companies such as Galaxy, Sands China, and Wynn Macau in executive roles. He most recently held the position of CEO at Crown Resorts in Australia until December 31, 2024. During his leadership, he guided the company through significant improvements to its anti-money laundering and responsible gambling measures. Carruthers took the helm following a challenging period for Crown, which was scrutinized by the Bergin Report for issues related to money laundering and inadequate responsible gambling protections, ultimately leading to determinations that the company was unsuitable for licensing in New South Wales and Victoria.
However, in 2024, under Carruthers’ direction, the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission decided that Crown could retain its license after reviewing its progress on rectifying past issues. That year, Crown also received a full, unrestricted license for its Crown Sydney facility.
In terms of Carruthers' immediate priorities, Murren remarked on GCGRA's ongoing focus on growth after Mullally's resignation. This includes the rollout of legal online gaming via Play971, with operators limited to one licensee for both sports and casino gaming in each Emirate, thereby increasing competition.
The ongoing conflict in Iran has hindered the development of brick-and-mortar projects, including the Wynn Al-Marjan Island, which is currently experiencing a modest delay in its scheduled opening. CEO Craig Billings indicated that the opening, originally set for the first quarter of 2027, may be pushed back.
Moreover, the future of additional brick-and-mortar developments in the UAE remains uncertain, as the war has potential implications for investments. While Dubai has not yet authorized new projects, it is suggested that companies from the US and Asia are keen to move forward with plans in Abu Dhabi. The regulatory framework may see further adjustments, and B2B infrastructures, such as live dealer studios, are under development.
