Mazooz and Emirates Draw suspended operations earlier this year following government instructions.
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Release date: Sunday, July 28, 2024, 7:43 PM
Last updated: Sunday, July 28, 2024 7:52 p.m.
Ewings, the operator of the popular Mazooz lottery, said in a statement on Sunday that the company is planning “new ventures”. The announcement comes after the UAE announced The Game LLC as the country’s first licensed lottery operator.
“While we do not hold a national lottery license in the UAE, we of course have some exciting new ventures planned and look forward to announcing more details in the near future,” Ewings said in a statement.
Both Mazooz and Emirates Draw suspended operations following government directives earlier this year, and confirmed to Khaleej Times that they have completed the application process to become licensed operators in the UAE.
Ewings said he was informed of the “disappointing” news through “official channels.”
“Following the industry-wide mandated suspension from 1 January 2024, Ewings was recently informed through official channels that it was not successful in the UAE’s first recognised lottery,” the statement said. “This delay in decision is truly disappointing, especially having kept our workforce at full capacity for the past seven months in the hope of a positive decision, however we respect the selection process and the government’s commitment to setting standards within our industry.”
Protecting consumers
In its announcement Sunday, GCGRA said the new regulatory framework will protect consumers and ensure fairness and transparency in all commercial gambling activities, including lotteries. According to The Game LLC’s website, the company plans to offer a “diverse range” of lotteries and other games “designed to cater to the diverse interests and financial preferences of players.”
Ewings’ statement also shared Mazouz’s accomplishments.
“Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that in three years, Mazooz has conducted 161 successful live draws, transformed the lives of millions of people, created 66 millionaires and awarded more than AED 500 million to over 2 million players. At the same time, Mazooz has been a force for good in the UAE, contributing to several good causes, including healthcare, education and the environment, and contributing significantly to various charitable efforts,” the statement read.