United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi's financial regulator and federal commercial gambling authority seal cooperation and information exchange agreement

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the ADGM – Abu Dhabi's international financial centre – has signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Regulatory Authority for Commercial Gaming (GCGRA), the federal commercial gambling regulator of the United Arab Emirates. With this agreement, both bodies establish a formal framework for regulatory cooperation and information exchange in support of their respective supervisory responsibilities.

The memorandum reinforces the shared commitment of both authorities to maintain high regulatory standards through effective collaboration, exchange of information and coordinated interaction on matters of mutual interest. The text provides a framework for cooperation that supports the effective supervision of regulated entities, while respecting the independent statutory mandates of each authority.

The agreement reflects the continuous efforts of both bodies to promote a transparent regulatory environment aligned with international standards, aimed at responsible innovation and sustainable market development. It also enhances cooperation in areas such as supervisory coordination, policy dialogue, assistance in investigations and the exchange of regulatory information, in accordance with applicable legislation and confidentiality requirements.

Through the memorandum, both entities aim to contribute decisively to strengthening the regulatory certainty of market participants operating in the ADGM and the wider financial ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates, while strengthening confidence in the jurisdiction's regulatory framework.

Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority, said: "This memorandum between FSRA and GCGRA represents an important step in strengthening regulatory cooperation and our shared commitment to regulatory excellence. Effective collaboration between regulators is critical to preserving market integrity, addressing emerging risks and ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve at the pace of innovation. As financial services and adjacent sectors become increasingly interconnected, close cooperation between competent authorities enhances our collective ability to support responsible growth, while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and consumer protection."

Ciarán Carruthers, CEO of the General Regulatory Authority for Commercial Gambling, commented: "Commercial gaming is one of the newest regulated sectors in the UAE, and its credibility will be built on precisely this type of cooperation. This memorandum provides the GCGRA and FSRA with a clear channel to share information and coordinate oversight where our respective mandates intersect, something that becomes more relevant as the sector grows and the range of participants operating in and around it becomes more complex. The UAE's reputation as a well-regulated jurisdiction is underpinned by regulators working in a coordinated manner, and this agreement provides that relationship with a formal foundation on which to build further."