The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has selected Dr. Ahmad Hesham as its new general counsel and board secretary. Dr. Hesham brings with him more than 25 years of considerable experience in legal, regulatory, and public policy matters across various jurisdictions.
His previous role was as general counsel and senior legal adviser to the UAE federal government, where he was instrumental in drafting and implementing significant legislative reforms. These reforms encompassed the UAE Labour Law, the Domestic Workers Law, the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and the Higher Education Law. Dr. Hesham holds a PhD and two master's degrees in law.
His judicial experience includes serving as vice-president of the Supreme Administrative Court, where he represented governments and public institutions at both regional and international forums.
In a statement on Tuesday, the GCGRA emphasized that Dr. Hesham’s expertise will help bolster its efforts to create a renowned regulatory framework for commercial gaming in the UAE. The GCGRA, which was established in 2023, oversees gambling regulation in the Emirates and manages licensing operations.
Dr. Hesham's appointment comes shortly after the GCGRA welcomed Ciarán Carruthers, an experienced figure in Asian gaming, as the organization’s second permanent CEO last month. Carruthers expressed optimism about the UAE's goal to set a global standard for responsible gaming regulation and looks forward to collaborating with team members, licensees, and government affiliates.
He took over from Kevin Mullally, who stepped down in November 2022. This transition in leadership aligns with the UAE's fast-paced initiatives to commercialize regulated gaming, which include licensing online and retail vendors, alongside the launch of the country’s first online gaming platform, Play971. Momentum, the parent company, obtained internet gaming and sports wagering licenses to operate throughout the UAE as of November 2025.
