Fanatics, Momentum Group Announce United Arab Emirates Joint Venture

• Fanatics has agreed to a joint venture with Momentum Group, a leading United Arab Emirates commercial gaming and entertainment company
• Momentum Group operates several United Arab Emirates commercial gaming licenses
• Momentum and Fanatics will invest in technology, product, and customer experience in the market

Fanatics and Momentum Group, a leading United Arab Emirates commercial gaming and entertainment company, have agreed to a joint venture to operate and grow the commercial gaming activities currently licensed to Momentum in the country.

Momentum’s existing United Arab Emirates (UAE) commercial gaming licenses and operations will form part of this joint venture with Fanatics. The UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has approved the change in control of Momentum’s existing licensed entities.

“The UAE is establishing one of the most thoughtfully regulated commercial gaming markets in the world, and Momentum has demonstrated what a responsible, credible operation within it looks like. We are entering this market for the long term, committed to building something genuinely category-defining together,” Conor Grant, President, Fanatics Gaming said in a released statement.

Investment in UAE

Through the joint venture, Fanatics and Momentum Group will invest in technology, product, and customer experience in the UAE. It will also aim to advance industry standards for responsible gaming and player protection, expand access to regulated gaming products in the UAE, and contribute to the wider development of the UAE’s digital economy.

According to the company release, the GCGRA approval reflects its regulatory mandate to ensure commercial gaming activities are conducted in the UAE by the highest standards, in according with applicable regulatory requirements.

“The UAE has built one of the world’s most carefully regulated commercial gaming markets, and this joint venture is a reflection of the confidence that brings. Combining Momentum’s regional experience with Fanatics’ global product capability creates a partnership well placed to grow alongside this market for the long term,” Scott Burton, Chief Operating Officer, of Momentum said in a release.

Fanatics Entry Overseas

The joint venture marks Fanatics gaming entry into the UAE commercial gaming market through a partnership with the country’s leading regional operator. Momentum is headquartered in the UAE and operates under licenses from the GCGRA.

“Fanatics and Momentum believe that responsible gaming and player protections are core tenets and a part of each company’s DNA. Full compliance with the GCGRA framework remains foundational to how the new business will operate in the UAE,” the company noted in a release.