Will Play971, the UAE’s First Regulated iGaming Platform, Accept Bitcoin?

2 days ago 3

When I realised the UAE had quietly launched its first fully regulated online sports wagering and iGaming platform, my first instinct was to ask a fairly obvious question: will it accept Bitcoin?

To be honest, I initially assumed it probably would. Having recently worked on several articles around the UAE and crypto, it’s hard not to associate the country with digital assets, blockchain development, and unusually high levels of crypto adoption.

That curiosity quickly turned into a deeper dive. I wanted to understand what Play971 is, how gambling laws work in the UAE, and whether cryptocurrency or blockchain technology plays any role in this new platform.

The answer, as it turns out, is more measured than first impressions might suggest.

What Play971 Is

Play971 is the UAE’s first officially licensed online sports wagering and iGaming platform, operating under the oversight of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.

The creation of this regulator alone signals how carefully the UAE is approaching online gambling.

Rather than opening the market broadly, the country has opted for a tightly controlled, licence-based model.

The platform itself is clearly designed as a domestic offering. It is aimed primarily at UAE residents and built to operate within strict legal and regulatory boundaries.

This isn’t an offshore-style launch, and it isn’t trying to mirror the global online casino model many players are already familiar with.

It’s also worth noting that Play971 appears to be in an early rollout phase. While the platform is licensed and live, the regulatory framework itself is still new, and Play971 is effectively the first real test of the UAE’s online iGaming model.

At this stage, limited features and conservative payment options are to be expected.

Players must be A legal resident or verified visitor of the UAE, and at least 21 years of age to play at play971

Does Play971 Accept Bitcoin?

As things stand, no.

There has been no confirmation that Play971 accepts Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency.

Official coverage of the platform’s launch makes no mention of crypto payments, digital wallets, or blockchain-based transactions.

Everything currently points to Play971 using traditional, regulator-approved payment methods.

Until the operator or regulator states otherwise, Play971 should be viewed as a conventional regulated betting platform, not a crypto casino.

UAE Gambling Laws Still Set Clear Limits

This cautious approach fits neatly with how gambling is treated under UAE law more broadly.

Gambling has historically been prohibited, and even with the introduction of licensed platforms, regulation remains strict and highly controlled.

This is an important distinction, especially for anyone familiar with the UAE’s wider crypto landscape. We’ve previously covered questions like whether the UAE has banned crypto.

The country has embraced digital assets in many areas, and reports consistently point to extremely high levels of crypto ownership among residents. However, crypto adoption in finance or investment does not automatically extend to gambling.

UAE Royal Group Mines 6,300 Bitcoin as Wealth Funds Dominate Crypto

What Would Need to Change for Bitcoin to Be Introduced

If Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies were to be introduced on a licensed UAE gambling platform, it wouldn’t be a small update. It would likely require clear regulatory groundwork, including:

explicit approval for crypto payments within licensed gambling coordination between gaming regulators and financial authorities strict AML and KYC controls tailored to digital assets approved systems for monitoring, converting, and settling crypto transactions

None of these elements has been publicly confirmed in relation to Play971, which strongly suggests that crypto payments are not part of the platform’s current setup.

How Play971 Differs from Crypto Casinos

It’s also important to separate Play971 from offshore crypto casinos. Many international platforms already accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and operate with far fewer restrictions.

Those platforms serve a global audience and exist outside the UAE licensing frameworks.

Play971 serves a different purpose. Its focus is on compliance and legitimacy within the UAE, even if that means sacrificing the flexibility crypto-focused players are used to.

Final Thoughts

So, does Play971 accept Bitcoin? At this point, there’s no indication that it does, and no evidence that crypto payments are imminent.

The launch of Play971 is best understood as a regulatory milestone rather than a signal of rapid innovation.

Given the UAE’s growing involvement in crypto and blockchain, it’s reasonable to wonder whether digital assets could play a role in the future.

But if that happens, it will almost certainly follow clear regulatory changes rather than assumptions or speculation.

For now, Play971 remains a traditional regulated platform, while crypto casinos and crypto casino promotions continue to operate separately in the offshore space.