Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Emirati Politician and Crown Prince of Dubai, chaired a meeting today with the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy. In it, the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2023 was launched, with ‘ambitions of positioning Dubai among the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry’, according to his tweet on the matter.
Part of this goal includes the creation of 30,000 jobs in the gaming sector over the next 10 years, as well as boosting the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) by $1bn.
Dubai has been gearing up towards gambling innovation for some time. The city and its UAE neighbour Abu Dhabi have been working towards the creation of casinos and other gaming operations, including last year's plan outlined by Wynn to create a $2bn resort in the UAE.
Moreover, earlier this year former MGM Resorts International’s Chairman and CEO, Jim Murren, took on the position of Chair at the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (UAE), showing the area's intent on making itself a hub for the gaming industry.
Additional notes from the meeting included the approval of three new projects as part of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. The city has made strides to become the ‘most digitally advanced city in the world’, frequently hosting Web3 and blockchain events around the city to encourage industry growth and investment from global businesses.
Casinos and gambling have yet to open their doors in Dubai, due to the Muslim practices the nation adheres to. However, as with the outlined Wynn Resorts plan, it seems some exceptions will be made in the future.
