Sweepstakes Unofficially Meet Federal Law at AIBC Eurasia 2026

The AIBC Eurasia Summit will take place at the Festival Arena in Dubai, starting on February 9, 2026. While the summit’s official schedule focuses on topics like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and “Vision 2030,” it’s highly likely that unofficial discussions about the sweepstakes industry will take place in the summit’s long, golden hallways.

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) was in attendance, making the Summit an unmissable stop for sweepstakes operators looking to understand the future of the “gray market.”

New Federal Decree Law No. 25 Sweeps Casinos into Internet Gaming

This UAE’s new civil code (Federal Decree Law No. 25 of 2025) represents a sweeping change for the country, which was historically known as a strict hardliner against any gambling-related activities.

Ultimately, the goal is to now transform the local industry by officially legalizing casino operations within the state through the oversight of the GCCRA. These changes will take effect on June 1, 2026.

However, its broad definitions will essentially prohibit the sweepstakes casino model before it can even begin.  This is because the UAE is closing that famous loophole sweepstakes casino sites use to avoid classification as gambling elsewhere. Essentially, they categorize any digital game with a chance-based prize as “internet gaming.”

These Are The New Operational Hurdles For The “Gray Market”:

• Broad interpretation: According to the GCGRA’s “Internet Gaming” category, any digital game in which players can win a prize is now considered a licensed activity. Therefore, the “social gaming” shield, which utilizes a 2-coin current system that sweepstakes casino sites currently employ, will no longer prove to be effective.
• The AED 11,000 Verification Wall: According to the latest UAE money laundering rules, gaming operators are now considered Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). This includes identity checks for transactions of 11,000 AED (approximately $2,995), both in one transaction or combined. Ultimately, this leads to a replacement of the easy entry point typically used by social casinos.
• Third-Party Exposure: The UAE’s federal mandate is very different from the US’s state-by-state approach. According to UAE law, marketing affiliates and payment processors can be held responsible for “helping” people to participate in unlicensed gaming activities. Any platform that aims at UAE residents without a GCGRA license could face criminal penalties.

Why AIBC 2026 is the “Compliance Mirror”

From the Festival Arena, the initial impression is that the “wait-and-see” era for sweepstakes is nearing an uncertainty-free ending.

The UAE is opening things up by issuing a federal permit that could prevent noncompliant platforms from joining global fintech networks. However, it’s still unclear what this new landscape will look like.

The definition of “internet gaming” is broad and includes the dual-currency model. However, it’s unclear whether the GCGRA will treat sweepstakes separately or eliminate them entirely. The “Dubai Framework” is still a work in progress. It could either promote innovation or become a blueprint for industry consolidation worldwide.

🔗 References & Official Filings

General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA):

• Statute: Federal Decree-Law No. (25) of 2025 (Effective June 1, 2026).
• Mandate:Exclusive jurisdiction over “Internet Gaming” to prevent unlicensed “gray market” entry.
• Link

UAE AML-CFT Framework:

• Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025: Establishes the AED 11,000 reporting threshold for gaming activities.
• Link

AIBC Eurasia Summit 2026:

• Status: Active (Feb 9-11, 2026) at Dubai Festival City Arena.
• Link