Former Wynn Macau COO Ciarán Carruthers named CEO of UAE regulator

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has appointed casino executive Ciarán Carruthers as its new CEO, tasking him with overseeing the continued development of the UAE’s gaming sector.

A former Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Wynn Macau, with prior roles at Galaxy and Sands China, Carruthers becomes the second permanent CEO of the UAE gambling regulator, following Kevin Mullally.

Commenting on his appointment, he said he was honored to contribute to the evolution of the country’s gaming framework. “The UAE is establishing itself as a global benchmark for modern and responsible gaming regulation, and I look forward to working closely with the team, licensees, and government partners to deliver on that ambition,” he said in a statement.

Carruthers succeeds Mullally, who led the regulator from its inception in September 2022 until stepping down in November 2025, citing family reasons. Since Mullally’s departure, GCGRA chairman Jim Murren has served as interim CEO.

“Ciarán [Carruthers] brings exactly the caliber of leadership this role demands,” Murren said. “His track record of building trust with governments, regulators, and industry partners across multiple jurisdictions is exceptional. The future of gaming regulation in the UAE is in exceptional hands.”

Carruthers takes charge at a pivotal stage

During Mullally’s tenure, the UAE took significant steps toward establishing a regulated gaming market. The UAE Lottery, operated by Momentum-owned The Game LLC, launched in December 2024, while Wynn Resorts secured the country’s first commercial gaming license for its integrated resort project in Ras Al Khaimah two months earlier.

Following Mullally’s departure, the UAE took further steps, licensing the online gaming platform “Play971.” The Momentum-backed operator received internet gaming and sports wagering licenses in November 2025. Industry sources indicate the GCGRA intends to maintain a one-licensee-per-emirate model for online gaming, mirroring its approach to land-based operations.

Extensive gaming industry experience

Carruthers is widely recognized in the global casino industry, having held senior leadership positions at major operators, including Galaxy Entertainment Group, Sands China, and Wynn Macau. Most recently, he served as CEO of Crown Resorts in Australia, stepping down at the end of 2024.

In his latest role, he was said to have played a central part in the company’s regulatory rehabilitation, overseeing extensive reforms to its anti-money laundering controls and responsible gambling measures.

Key challenges ahead

Market observers and gaming industry experts have repeatedly said that the UAE’s gaming sector is entering a critical phase of development. While the launch of Play971 marked the beginning of regulated online gaming, the regulator’s apparent preference for a single sports betting and casino operator in each emirate is expected to intensify competition among prospective licensees.

Challenges have intensified amid the current geopolitical environment, namely the conflict involving Iran, which has heightened tensions across the Gulf region and impacted progress on the UAE’s gaming development.

Wynn Al Marjan Island, currently the country’s only integrated resort project under construction, is facing what Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings recently described as a “modest delay” to its opening schedule. The project was originally expected to launch in the first quarter of next year.

Questions also remain over when additional land-based gaming developments will move forward and whether regional instability could affect investor attractiveness. While Dubai continues to show little interest in approving a casino project, industry sources suggest several operators from the U.S. and Asia remain keen to advance proposals in Abu Dhabi.

Beyond market expansion, Carruthers is expected to oversee further refinements to the UAE’s regulatory framework and support the development of broader gaming infrastructure, including business-to-business services such as live dealer studios.