Chief Of Licensing And Investigations

Job Description

As the Chief of Licensing & Investigations at GCGRA, your role is to lead and manage the licensing and investigations functions within the organization. You will be responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing all licensing and investigations activities pertaining to the GCGRA’s Executive Regulations and risk-based licensing framework. Your leadership will ensure thorough evaluations of prospective gaming license applicants, aligning with federal law and GCGRA regulations.

In this role, you will oversee the entire lifecycle of our licensing operations, from the rigorous evaluation of initial applications to the ongoing oversight of licensee investigations. Your expertise will be instrumental in implementing a risk-based approach to monitoring licensee conduct, ensuring strict compliance with GCGRA regulations and professional standards while proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks.

Additionally, the role supervises investigations into unlicensed and illegal gaming operators, coordinating with law enforcement and international regulatory agencies to eliminate illicit activities and uphold the Authority’s duty to create a well-regulated and secure gaming environment. As a seasoned gaming industry expert, you will navigate the complexities of licencing and risk assessment, leading the GCGRA to set new standards for instituting a modern approach to licencing that efficiently ensures the integrity of commercial gaming in the UAE.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct the entire lifecycle of licensing activities, from application to approval, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.
• Oversee the evaluation, vetting, and approval of gaming licenses, including financial due diligence and suitability assessments.
• Develop and implement strategies for ongoing license suitability monitoring and enforcement, using a risk-based approach to uphold the integrity of commercial gaming operations.
• Ensure effective policies and procedures for the monitoring and renewal of gaming licenses, addressing emerging risks, and working to evolve industry best practices.
• Supervise and oversee investigations into unlicensed, illegal gaming operations, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies, gaming regulators, and financial intelligence units to disrupt them.
• Facilitate the utilization of intelligence gathering, forensic audits, and digital monitoring to identify illicit operators and prevent illegal activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the licensing and investigations units for international gaming regulatory bodies, domestic and international law enforcement agencies, and financial regulators.
• Develop intergovernmental partnerships to enhance intelligence sharing and investigation capabilities.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to the Licensing & Investigations division, ensuring operational excellence

Stakeholder Communication

Internal:

• Coordinate closely with the General Counsel and Chief of Supervision & Financial Crime Prevention on legal, compliance, and supervision matters pertaining to investigation and enforcement.
• Coordinate closely with the CEO and General Counsel on all matters pertaining to licensing and ongoing monitoring of suitability.

External:

• Develop and maintain ongoing intergovernmental partnerships to enhance intelligence sharing and investigation capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Criminology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in gaming regulation, licensing, compliance, investigations, or law enforcement.
• In-depth knowledge of risk-based regulatory frameworks and licensing processes within the gaming industry.
• Proven track record in conducting and overseeing criminal, financial, and regulatory investigations.
• Experience collaborating with international law enforcement and regulatory agencies on illicit activities.
• Must have strong verbal and written English communication skills.
• Experience in AML/CFT as it relates to licensing and investigations.
• Strong working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing lotteries, online gaming, sports wagering, and integrated gaming resorts.

Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are necessary. The ability to work collaboratively with other agencies and stakeholders is essential. Analytical and problem-solving skills are also important.
• Proven ability to lead a critical organizational function, meet deadlines, possesses integrity, confidentiality, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Required to compose detailed, concise, and accurate documents, such as budgets, reports, policies, procedures, and other correspondence.

About Us

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is the federal executive agency responsible for regulating and overseeing commercial gaming in the United Arab Emirates. We aim to drive sustainable growth by cultivating world-class commercial gaming operations and implementing efficient regulation, grounded in the principles of integrity, innovation, and responsible practices.

Established by Federal Law by Decree and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the GCGRA is the executive authority that holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE.