24 things UAE players need to know about Play971, the country’s first licensed internet gaming site

Emirates ID is mandatory for KYC
For Know Your Customer checks, Play971 only accepts a valid Emirates ID, rejecting passports, driving licences or other national IDs to align with local regulatory standards.

How KYC is completed
Users must log in, access the KYC section of their profile, select eKYC and upload clear images of their Emirates ID to verify identity before full account functionality is unlocked.

Payment cards must match the account holder
Where payment card details are provided, the card must be linked to a bank account in the same name as the gaming account, with the user as an authorised holder and the card not linked to a business account.

Joint accounts and privacy implications
If a joint bank card is registered, the terms state that winnings may be paid back to that card, which could indirectly disclose gambling activity to other joint account holders.

No VPNs or location masking
The terms explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs or any tools designed to hide or falsify location or identity; winnings will not be paid if such methods are used.

Consequences of breaching location rules
If users are found to have played from prohibited areas or concealed their location, the platform can refuse to pay winnings and take further action under GCGRA regulations.

Unlicensed gaming remains illegal
Any gaming activity carried out without a GCGRA licence is illegal in the UAE, and individuals participating in unlicensed games can also face penalties, not just unapproved operators.

Built‑in player controls
Play971 offers deposit limits, time‑outs and self‑exclusion tools that allow users to cap spending, take short breaks or block themselves from playing for at least six months.

Support services such as Takalam
The platform directs players to external mental health and counselling resources, including Takalam, to support those who may be at risk of problem gaming.

Underage and vulnerable users
The site states it uses safeguards to prevent underage play and to monitor accounts for problematic patterns, consistent with GCGRA responsible gaming expectations.

When your account can be suspended
Accounts may be suspended if requested by the user, instructed by the GCGRA, if eligibility criteria are no longer met, if there is a negative balance, if terms are breached, or if the operator deems suspension reasonable.

What happens to bets and winnings during suspension
Bets placed before suspension are not refunded, and while winning wagers are honoured, the funds can be held in a segregated account pending an internal review.

Losing access during suspension
Suspended users cannot deposit (except to clear a negative balance), withdraw winnings, place new bets or change account details until the suspension reason is resolved.

When winnings can be forfeited
If an internal review concludes that the suspension was correctly applied, users are not entitled to winnings accrued while the account was suspended, with those funds handled according to regulatory rules.

When winnings must be paid
If a suspension is later deemed inappropriate, the user is entitled to winnings earned during the suspension period, subject to regulatory constraints, and can withdraw them once the account is restored.

Self‑exclusion exception

Users who permanently or temporarily exclude themselves are allowed to withdraw winnings or refunds of deposits, even though they cannot continue to play.