Former MGM Chief Jim Murren Appointed Chairman of Regulatory Authority in the UAE

The former CEO of MGM, Jim Murren, has been appointed as the chairman, while Kevin Mullally, a former executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission, will serve as the CEO of the newly formed federal General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The GCGRA’s primary mission is to develop a world-class regulatory framework for both national lottery operations and commercial gaming.

According to an Emirates News Agency report published on Sunday, the GCGRA boasts a team of globally recognized experts with a track record in implementing effective, secure, and responsible gaming regulations. While the report introduced Murren and Mullally in their respective roles, it did not provide additional details about the agency’s personnel, operational procedures, or the specific definition of “commercial gaming.”

Jim Murren, who previously held top positions at MGM Resorts International and MGM China, will play a pivotal role in this regulatory endeavor. Kevin Mullally, who served as Missouri’s chief gaming regulator in the early 2000s and later worked as the general counsel and government relations head at Gaming Laboratories International for 17 years, will bring his extensive experience to the GCGRA.

The GCGRA’s primary objective is to foster a socially responsible and well-regulated gaming environment, ensuring strict adherence to guidelines and the highest standards by all participants. Additionally, the authority will coordinate regulatory activities, oversee national licensing processes, and responsibly unlock the economic potential of commercial gaming.

The establishment of the GCGRA marks a significant development in the UAE, a predominantly Muslim country, as it steps into the previously taboo world of gambling across various gaming segments. However, it remains uncertain whether gambling will be permitted in some capacity in all seven emirates of the UAE.

Several Nevada-based operators have already made inroads into the UAE market. Wynn Resorts, for instance, is constructing a casino as part of a $3.9 billion integrated resort project in Ras Al Khaimah, the sixth-largest city in the UAE. Caesars International has been managing non-gaming properties in Dubai since 2018, and MGM is in the process of developing a non-gaming property in Dubai, with potential plans to enter the gaming market if it becomes a reality.

Jim Murren’s connection with UAE officials dates back to at least the 2000s when MGM collaborated with Dubai World, a UAE state-owned investment company, on the significant CityCenter project in Las Vegas.

In a related development, it was reported by the Associated Press that after leaving MGM and assuming leadership of Nevada’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, Jim Murren attempted to acquire COVID-19 testing kits donated by the UAE and manufactured in China. However, this effort faced opposition from U.S. officials citing concerns related to national security, privacy, and testing accuracy.