Momentum introduced Play971 as the United Arab Emirates’ first licensed online sports wagering platform in June 2026. The Abu Dhabi-based service now enables legal horse racing betting across the region.
The platform operates under the oversight of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. Philippa Bowland, commercial director for iGaming at Play971, stated that the project required establishing a new regulated entertainment category without a prior market blueprint. Her previous roles include positions at Pinnacle Sports, Flutter Entertainment and Entain.
Compliance and Market Development
Play971 integrates locally licensed payment providers and gaming content certified by Gaming Laboratories International. The certification body holds approval from the GCGRA. Bowland noted that every operational decision, from player onboarding to content localization, was constructed to align with the regulatory framework.
The launch includes an educational component to clarify the function of licensed platforms in a newly regulated commercial gaming sector. The company previously released the Play971 iGaming offering last November, establishing the foundation for the current wagering expansion. The initial platform launch was previously reported by iGB.