The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has appointed Dr. Ahmad Hesham as its general counsel and board secretary. Dr. Hesham brings more than 25 years of diverse legal, regulatory, and public policy experience to the position. Previously, he served as the general counsel and senior legal adviser to the UAE federal government, where he played a key role in drafting and implementing significant legislative reforms, including the UAE Labour Law, the Domestic Workers Law, the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and the Higher Education Law. He holds a PhD and two master's degrees in law.
In addition to his legal expertise, Dr. Hesham has held several judicial roles, such as vice-president of the Supreme Administrative Court, representing governments and public institutions at various regional and international levels.
In a statement released Tuesday, the GCGRA emphasized that Dr. Hesham’s appointment is expected to enhance its capabilities as it strives to develop a respected regulatory framework for commercial gaming in the UAE.
Established in 2023, the GCGRA oversees coordinating gambling regulation within the Emirates and manages licensing processes.
Dr. Hesham’s ascent follows the recent appointment of Ciarán Carruthers as the GCGRA’s second permanent CEO last month. Carruthers remarked on the UAE's aim to set a global standard for modern and responsible gaming regulation, expressing his eagerness to collaborate with the agency, licensees, and government partners to fulfill this objective. He replaced Kevin Mullally, who left his role in November 2022.
These leadership changes occur amidst the UAE's rapid progression in commercializing regulated gaming, which includes licensing various online and retail vendors, as well as the launch of the UAE's first online gaming platform, Play971. The parent company, Momentum, gained internet gaming and sports wagering licenses to operate across the UAE in November 2025.
