GCGRA appoints Ciarán Carruthers as CEO
GCGRA has appointed Ciarán Carruthers as CEO as the UAE continues building its regulated commercial gaming market across operators, online gaming and suppliers.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority has appointed Ciarán Carruthers as CEO, bringing in the former Crown Resorts chief to lead the UAE’s commercial gaming regulator. The GCGRA announced the appointment on June 9, 2026.
Carruthers said he was honored to join the authority and “contribute to the continued development” of commercial gaming regulation in the UAE.
GCGRA chairman Jim Murren said:
Carruthers brings the experience needed to lead the regulator through its next phase.
Murren pointed to Carruthers’ record of working with governments, regulators and industry partners across multiple jurisdictions.
Carruthers replaces Kevin Mullally, who stepped down in November 2025 after leading the GCGRA from its early formation. Murren had served as interim CEO following Mullally’s departure.
Carruthers joins the GCGRA after serving as CEO of Crown Resorts in Australia. His career also includes senior roles at Wynn Macau, Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment, giving him experience across Macau and Australian integrated resort operations.
His time at Crown followed a difficult period for the Australian operator, which had faced scrutiny over anti-money laundering controls, responsible gambling safeguards and suitability issues. During his tenure, Crown continued remediation work in markets including Victoria and New South Wales.
The appointment comes as the UAE’s regulated gaming sector continues to form across lottery, land-based, online and supplier activity. The GCGRA’s published licensee list names The Game LLC as operator of the UAE Lottery, Island 3 AMI FZ-LLC, doing business as Wynn Al Marjan, as a land-based gaming facilities licensee, and Coin Technology Projects LLC as both an internet gaming and sports wagering licensee. The regulator also lists a range of gaming-related vendor licensees.
Carruthers will now oversee a regulator whose remit already includes operators, online gaming, sports wagering and B2B suppliers as the UAE expands its commercial gaming framework.
