Yolo Group Earns UAE Gaming Vendor Licenses from GCGRA

Yolo Group’s subsidiaries, Hub88 Holdings Ltd (hub88.io) and Live Online Gaming Services LLC (Live88.io and Onetouch.io), have officially obtained gaming-related vendor licenses from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This regulatory body, an independent arm of the UAE Federal Government, holds exclusive responsibility for licensing and overseeing all commercial gaming operations in the country.

With this authorization, Live88 becomes the first online live casino studio to be licensed in the UAE, positioning the Yolo Group at the forefront of a transformative moment for the Gulf gaming landscape. The new licenses grant the company the right to deliver business-to-business iGaming content in the UAE’s freshly regulated market — the first of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

This regulatory breakthrough marks a major milestone in Yolo Group’s strategic shift toward operating exclusively in licensed and compliant environments, further aligning the group’s business model with global standards for transparency and responsible innovation.

Founder Tim Heath hailed the UAE approval as a defining step in the company’s mission to promote trusted and innovative gaming solutions. “Obtaining these licenses in the UAE is more than a regulatory achievement, it is a statement of intent. Yolo Group is committed to building the future of gaming on trust, transparency, and world-class innovation. The UAE is setting the stage for what modern, regulated gaming should look like, and we are proud to be part of that journey,” he stated.

The licenses also signal Yolo Group’s intention to strengthen its B2B operations within emerging regulated markets. The UAE’s regulatory framework — the first within the GCC — represents not just a new business opportunity, but also a launchpad for Yolo’s broader Middle Eastern strategy.

In addition to its UAE expansion, Yolo continues to pioneer new technological capabilities designed to enhance user experience across its platforms. Among its initiatives is the development of a one-wallet system that connects online and land-based gaming environments. Yolo has also introduced MiCA-compliant crypto payments at its flagship land-based property, the Bombay Club in Tallinn, Estonia, signaling a blend of fintech innovation and gaming evolution.

Before extending its reach throughout the GCC, Yolo plans to keep its product testing and development in Estonia, ensuring stability and quality before scaling. The company’s commitment to sustainable, long-term expansion underscores its goal of becoming a trusted name in regulated iGaming markets worldwide.

Coinciding with the licensing milestone, Yolo’s subsidiary Live88 has rolled out a fresh series of blackjack tournaments aimed at enhancing player engagement and introducing a new layer of interactivity to its live casino platform.

The tournaments are available in two distinct formats:

Leaderboard Tournaments, which reward consistent strategy and accumulated points over time.

Mystery Bounty Tournaments, which introduce hidden prizes triggered by achieving specific in-game milestones, offering unpredictability and excitement.

This dual format caters to both competitive players seeking structured gameplay and casual participants who prefer the thrill of unexpected rewards. The update underscores Live88’s ongoing mission to diversify and innovate within its live casino portfolio.

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The introduction of these new tournament formats follows a leadership update in September, when Simon Fieldwas appointed as Managing Director of Live88. Field previously led live casino strategy and development at Bally’s Interactive, where he oversaw the launch of a live dealer studio in Rhode Island. His appointment represents a key move in Live88’s broader strategy to enhance its operational capabilities and expand its market footprint.

Across the Yolo Group, leadership appointments throughout the year have reinforced its commitment to structured growth. Lara Falzon took the helm as CEO of Yolo’s B2B brands, Stephanie Eddy assumed the role of Chief Revenue Officer at Yolo Entertainment, and Will Fyler became Managing Director of Odds88, the group’s sports aggregation platform. Collectively, these executive changes reflect Yolo’s concerted focus on strengthening its entertainment and business-to-business segments.

Through strategic leadership, product innovation, and regulatory alignment, Yolo Group is charting a path toward sustainable growth in newly regulated gaming territories — beginning with the UAE’s pioneering market.

Source:

, europeangaming.eu, October 7, 2025.