The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority has appointed Ciarán Carruthers as its new chief executive officer with immediate effect.
Carruthers takes over from Jim Murren, who had been serving as interim CEO following the departure of Kevin Mullally in November last year.
Murren retains his position as chair of the GCGRA, a role he has held since the organisation was founded in September 2023.
Carruthers brings more than 40 years of experience across the global luxury resorts and gaming sectors to his new position.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Crown Resorts from September 2022 to November 2024, leading one of the world’s most prominent gaming and hospitality groups.
His career also includes a stint as chief operating officer of Wynn Macau, alongside senior roles at Sands China, Asia Pacific Gaming, and Galaxy Casino.
Carruthers additionally spent 11 years as vice president of operations and business development at International Casino Services, underlining the breadth of his industry experience.
Murren was effusive in his praise for the incoming chief executive, highlighting the strength of his cross-jurisdictional credentials and leadership qualities.
“Ciarán brings exactly the calibre of leadership this role demands,” Murren said. “His track record of building trust with governments, regulators, and industry partners across multiple jurisdictions is exceptional. The future of gaming regulation in the UAE is in exceptional hands.”
Carruthers becomes only the second full-time CEO in the GCGRA’s history, with the authority having been established in September 2023.
Mullally, a Gaming Laboratories International veteran and former Missouri Gaming Commission director, was the GCGRA’s founding CEO before stepping down after approximately two years in the post.
Mullally said at the time of his departure that he intended to return to the United States and spend more time with his family.
In February 2026, Mullally resurfaced as the inaugural CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, an organisation that had previously operated as a member-led body since the 1980s.
The appointment of Carruthers coincides with a significant moment in UAE gaming history, as the region welcomed its first licensed iGaming and sports betting platform.
Play971 rolled out certain services in the UAE recently, initially offering football betting with options available for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off this week.
Play971 was the first operator to secure an online gambling and sports betting licence from the GCGRA, completing an initial field trial phase under close regulatory supervision before its soft launch.
The platform is operated by Momentum, a leading UAE entertainment group that also runs the UAE Lottery through its The Game subsidiary.
With Play971 now live and a permanent CEO in place, the GCGRA appears firmly positioned to oversee the continued growth of regulated gaming across the UAE.
