Momentum Group has formed a strategic joint venture with Fanatics to operate and expand commercial gaming in the United Arab Emirates.
Under the agreement, all of Momentum’s existing UAE commercial gaming licenses and operations will be integrated into the new joint venture. The partnership combines Momentum’s regional market expertise, regulatory standing, and operational capabilities with Fanatics’ technology, product development, and large-scale gaming experience.
The joint venture will oversee and expand the commercial gaming activities currently licensed to Momentum, including lottery, iGaming, sportsbook, and gaming content websites. The companies said the venture will prioritize customer experience, technology innovation, and sustainable long-term growth.
The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has approved the change in control of Momentum’s licensed entities, allowing the joint venture to proceed. The regulator said the approval aligns with its mandate to ensure commercial gaming activities are conducted by operators that meet the highest standards of fitness and regulatory compliance.
Fanatics, which operates licensed sportsbook and iGaming platforms across multiple U.S. states, said the partnership marks its strategic entry into the UAE’s emerging regulated commercial gaming sector.
“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,” said Scott Burton, Chief Operating Officer, Momentum Group. “Combining Momentum’s regional experience with Fanatics’ global product capability creates a partnership well placed to grow alongside this market for the long term.”
Fanatics Gaming President Conor Grant said the UAE is establishing one of the world’s most carefully regulated commercial gaming markets and credited Momentum for building a responsible and credible operation.
“We are entering this market for the long term, committed to building something genuinely category-defining together,” Grant stated.
The companies said they plan to invest in technology, product development, and customer experience while advancing responsible gaming initiatives and player protection standards. They also aim to expand access to regulated gaming products and support the continued growth of the UAE’s digital economy.
Momentum and Fanatics emphasized that responsible gaming and full compliance with the GCGRA’s regulatory framework will remain central to the joint venture’s operations as the UAE continues to develop its commercial gaming industry.