Play971.ae site is the first locally licensed operator to launch sports betting in the United Arab Emirates
Momentum Group’s Play971 brand has become the first licensed operator to launch online sports betting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Launched ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off this week, Play971.ae enables players over the age of 21 to bet on major international sports and leagues, alongside regional and local events, including UAE football and horse racing.
“Football fever is about to take over the world,” said Momentum Group. “For the first time ever, UAE-based football fans can safely place wagers on international football matches through a licensed platform built for and based in the UAE. It’s a landmark moment for sports entertainment in the country and an exciting new way for fans to get closer to the action.
“We are very excited of this milestone moment and look forward to bringing sports fans across the UAE even more ways to engage with the games they love.”
Operating under a licence issued to Coin Technology Projects, Play971 became the first operator to be approved for online gambling and sports betting by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) last December.
The Play971 brand is based on the UAE’s dialling code (971) and the year the nation was united (1971).
Momentum is also the parent company behind The Game, which operates The UAE Lottery.