- Media
Arena Racing Company secures UAE gaming-related vendor licence
The licence, which comes into effect immediately, authorizes ARC to supply its products and services to licenced gaming operators across the UAE. The move positions the UK-based company to expand its international presence in a region where regulated gaming is an emerging market.
The licence specifically allows ARC to provide its Racing1 Markets service, an integrated horse and greyhound racing solution. The service is delivered in collaboration with Racing1 alliance partners, including 1/ST CONTENT, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp, with technical support from Pythia Sports. According to the GCGRA website, ARC has been officially added to the list of licenced vendors eligible to operate in the UAE market.
“Obtaining this licence is a significant milestone for ARC and our Racing1 partners,” said Jack Whitaker, Commercial Manager at ARC. “The emerging regulated UAE market is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products and services in the region. This represents a key step in our international growth strategy.”
The licence enables ARC to offer a comprehensive suite of services to operators in the UAE, including live racing content, data feeds, odds management, and broadcast solutions. ARC’s Racing1 Markets service is designed to support operators with a turnkey solution that integrates international racing content into local betting platforms, providing both operational efficiency and a premium product experience for end users.
Company Background
Arena Racing Company is the UK’s largest racing group, managing 16 racecourses and five greyhound stadia across the country. The company also has a significant media footprint, including an interest in Sky Sports Racing, which broadcasts UK and international racing into homes across the UK and Ireland. ARC is further involved in digital integrations with more than 50 bookmakers and operates The Racing Partnership, a distribution network supplying horse and greyhound racing content to the Licenced Betting Office (LBO) market.
Racing1, the company’s international content arm, is a collaborative hub formed by ARC, 1/ST CONTENT, RMG, and Tabcorp. It consolidates content rights, data, odds, and broadcasting services to distribute live horse and greyhound racing across global markets.
The network aims to enable operators to integrate innovative technologies and create new revenue streams, solidifying Racing1’s position as a leading provider of international racing content.
The UAE has been steadily expanding its regulatory framework for gaming and betting. The establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Authority (GCGRA) reflects the country’s commitment to creating a structured and transparent environment for commercial gaming activities. Licensing arrangements like those granted to ARC are designed to ensure that vendors meet high operational, technical, and compliance standards, while supporting the growth of a regulated market that attracts international participation.
For ARC, entering the UAE market marks an important step in its strategy to expand globally and capitalize on emerging regulated markets for racing content. Analysts suggest that the UAE, with its robust economic infrastructure and growing interest in regulated gaming, could offer significant growth opportunities for companies with established expertise in racing content and betting solutions.
ARC is the UK’s largest racing operator, managing 16 racecourses and five greyhound stadia. The company holds an interest in Sky Sports Racing and operates The Racing Partnership, providing UK horse and greyhound racing content to bookmakers.
Racing1 is a collaborative network bringing together ARC, 1/ST CONTENT, RMG, and Tabcorp. It distributes live horse and greyhound racing content globally, providing rights management, data, odds, and broadcast services to operators, enabling technology integration and revenue growth.
