In the UAE, laws are catching up fast with the iGaming world. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has already made it clear that payment providers must hold a Gaming-Related Vendor License before they can process gaming transactions or offer wallets to licensed operators.

With rules like these, it’s clear the UAE wants gaming payments to be safe, legal, and well-managed. And as iGaming grows, it means more players and more money spent inside apps and online platforms. Thus, the payment side must keep up.

Let’s look at the top gateways used in the UAE’s iGaming scene and factors to keep in mind when selecting any.

Key Payment Gateways & Platforms for UAE Gaming Platforms

UAE’s gaming platforms use providers that are fast, secure, and fully legal under UAE rules. Below are leading gateways in the UAE iGaming scene.

1. PayBy

PayBy was the first fintech in the UAE to get the Gaming-Related Vendor License from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). That means it is officially allowed to serve GCGRA-licensed gaming operators with payment services.

Because of that license, PayBy can do more than basic payments. They provide digital wallets, secure payments, and fraud detection tools.

According to a statement released by Astra Tech, the company operating PayBy, “This approval sets the stage for PayBy to provide secure and innovative payment solutions to operators in the UAE’s evolving commercial gaming sector.”

PayBy’s integration into the Ultra app ecosystem (which includes payments, remittances, and lending) also means smoother experiences for users who already use Ultra.

2. Checkout.com

Checkout.com holds a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE Central Bank. It also has an acquiring license so it can directly process merchant transactions. They have high-performance systems, good support for local payment methods and wallets, and strong fraud/risk tools.

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager in MENA for Checkout.com, emphasized that because of the license, they can control more of the payment flow (rather than depending heavily on third parties). This often means fewer breakdowns or delays.

He said in an interview, “Our license enables us to offer superior payment performance for our merchants by having more control over processing outcomes through our powerful platform.”

The gateway has fast, reliable payments that integrate with local banking norms.

3. PayTabs

PayTabs is well known across the GCC/MENA. They are based in the region, have local operations, and have large merchant coverage. They support many payment methods (cards, wallets.) and offer APIs, integrations, payment links, QR codes.

For gaming platforms, some of PayTabs’ attractive traits include quick onboarding, flexible integration (mobile SDKs, payment links), multiple currency support, fraud prevention tools, and local currency settlement (AED), which helps avoid exchange headaches.

Because PayTabs is only available in certain areas, they are not able to support high-risk verticals (like some types of gambling or gaming) unless they follow the rules of your license, bank partnerships.

4. Skrill

Skrill is a top e-wallet choice for many gamers because it combines speed, privacy, and ease. It lets you load money from cards, bank transfers, or vouchers, keep it in a digital wallet, and pay quickly. It also offers perks like VIP status for frequent users, which can mean lower fees and faster support.

Also, Skrill is accepted by many UAE casinos for deposits and payouts. A plus with this payment gateway is that players don’t have to show their bank card details everywhere as Skrill serves as a buffer. As soon as they fund their Skrill wallets, they can often play right away.

Casino players in the UAE who are drawn to this digital banking channel will need to seek the operators that accept it. While that could have been a chore in the past, it no longer is with the huge number of resources and guides out there. By checking relevant review sites, it is now easy to discover the best skrill casinos UAE that guarantee instant deposits and easy withdrawals.

5. CryptoPay

CryptoPay and similar regulated crypto gateways are becoming a popular option in the UAE, especially after the country introduced clear rules for virtual assets.

CryptoPay accepts payments in popular cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins) while converting them into AED almost instantly. For curious gamers, crypto payments are safe in the UAE. They provide open platforms for a global audience that prefers crypto over cards or wallets.

Also, the payment gateway is fully regulated under UAE frameworks such as VARA in Dubai and the Central Bank’s Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR).

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an iGaming Payment Solution

In the UAE, the payment gateway you pick can determine how enjoyable your iGaming activities will be. Here are the key things every operator and player should keep in mind:

• Regulatory compliance: Always check if the provider holds the right licenses, such as a GCGRA Gaming-Related Vendor License or Central Bank approvals. Without this, the platform could face penalties or restrictions.
• Local settlement in AED: Players in the UAE expect to pay and withdraw in dirhams. Gateways that settle directly in AED avoid currency conversion costs and improve user experience.
• Speed of deposits and withdrawals: Instant deposits and fast payouts (ideally under 24 hours) are necessary for keeping players engaged and loyal.
• Security and fraud protection: With strict UAE rules on AML/CFT, look for providers with strong KYC, anti-fraud systems, and encryption standards like PCI DSS compliance.
• Ease of integration: APIs, SDKs, and developer support should make it simple to plug into a gaming platform without long delays or technical headaches.

Final Thoughts

The UAE gaming market is expanding quickly, and payment solutions sit at the center of that growth. With strict rules set by the GCGRA and the Central Bank, platforms cannot afford to treat payments as an afterthought.

Each payment solution we have explored comes with its strengths, but the best option will always depend on how well it balances security, convenience, cost, and legal compliance.