- Israel widens Lebanon strikes as troops fight Hezbollah along border
- Bowlers' graveyards: Pakistan's placid pitches under fresh fire
- 'Little Gregory' murder haunts France 40 years on
- Vietnam, China to expand rail links, cross-border payments
- Americans get their belief back as Pochettino makes his mark
- Vietnam, China to boost economic, defence cooperation
- Winning start for Pochettino's American adventure
- Tariffs, tax cuts, energy: What is in Trump's economic plan?
- Amazon wants to be everything to everyone
- US firms brace for more tariffs as election approaches
- Winning start for Poch's American adventure
- Morocco's tribeswomen see facial tattoo tradition fade
- Centre-left set to win as pro-Ukraine Lithuania votes
- Colombia guerilla group urges delegations not to attend COP16 in Cali
- Pakistan frets over security ahead of SCO summit
- Ronaldo scores 133rd Portugal goal in Nations League win over Poland
- 40 nations contributing to UN Lebanon peacekeeping force condemn 'attacks'
- Eight dead as heavy rain thrashes Brazil after long drought
- Jewish school in Canada hit by gunfire for second time
- Morocco crush Central African Republic, Guirassy scores hat-trick
- Dupont scores quickfire hat-trick on Toulouse Top 14 return
- Ronaldo scores in Portugal's Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark
- Interim boss Carsley has not applied for England job
- Mets hurler Senga ready to take on Dodgers in game one of NL Championship Series
- Ronaldo on target again as Portugal defeat Poland in Nations League
- Guardians rip Tigers 7-3 to advance in MLB playoffs
- AFP, BBC win top French war reporting awards
- Carsley goes back to basics as humbled England face Finland
- Alex Salmond: the man who took Scotland to the brink of independence
- Scotland's former leader Alex Salmond dies aged 69: party
- UN warns of catastrophe as Israel fights a two-front war
- Croatia extend Scotland's losing streak
- South Africa, New Zealand boost T20 World Cup semi-final hopes
- 'Very challenging': Israel faces Hezbollah in tricky terrain
- Farrell begins to feel at home as Racing 92 beat Toulon
- South Africa boost T20 World Cup semi-final hopes with Bangladesh win
- Samson ton powers India to T20 series sweep after record total
- Djokovic to face Sinner in Shanghai final with 100th title in sight
- UN peacekeepers to remain in Lebanon: spokesman
- Pro-Conquest film fuels debate in Mexico over colonial legacy
- Samson ton powers India to record 297-6 in Bangladesh T20
- New Zealand enjoy perfect start to America's Cup defence over Britain
- Pogacar emulates icon Coppi with fourth straight Il Lombardia triumph
- UN warns against 'catastrophic' regional conflict
- New Zealand crush Ineos Britannia in America's Cup opener
- Djokovic to face Sinner in blockbuster Shanghai Masters final
- With medical report Harris seeks to play health card against Trump
- Sri Lanka seeks to match success in W.Indies T20s
- Sinner reaches Shanghai final, will end year number one
- China-EU EV tariff talks in Brussels end with 'major differences': Beijing
UAE establishes 'gaming' body in potential step towards casinos
The United Arab Emirates has set up a regulatory body for "commercial gaming" -- a step which could potentially allow for casino licences in the Arab Gulf state where gambling is currently banned.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) will "coordinate regulatory activities, manage licensing... and facilitate unlocking the economic potential of commercial gaming," the official WAM news agency said late Sunday.
The statement did not clarify whether "gaming" refers to gambling and made no mention of casinos but senior officials hired to run the body are industry veterans.
Its CEO was named as Kevin Mullally who served as executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission -- a body in charge of regulating riverboat casinos throughout the US state.
"I look forward to establishing a robust regulatory body and framework for the UAE's lottery and gaming industry," Mullally was quoted as saying in the WAM statement.
GCGRA's board of directors is chaired by James Murren, who previously served as chairman of the American Gaming Association, a trade group representing the United States casino industry.
Gambling is prohibited under Islamic laws in the oil-rich Gulf state, whose population is 90 percent foreign.
In 2022, US-based casino operator Wynn Resorts announced plans to establish an "integrated resort", including "gaming facilities", in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah.
Ras al-Khaimah is one of the seven members of the UAE, which includes the city state of Dubai.
Preliminary construction work has begun on Wynn Al Marjan Island which is scheduled to open in early 2027.
UAE authorities have for years denied reports that the country which neighbours Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is to lift an Arabian Gulf-wide ban on gambling.
But it has made a series of liberalising moves as it faces increased regional competition for talent and tourism, notably from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
These included lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together, loosening restrictions on alcohol, and offering long-term residencies.
Last year, it moved to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend, in what experts said was an attempt to maintain its edge over regional competitors.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN