The official furthered “building a financially strong and digitally enabled Authority that operates with discipline confidence and integrity”.
The CFO highlighted that the regulator’s success “means contributing to an institution that upholds the highest standards of governance and supports the UAE’s vision for a trusted and sustainable regulatory ecosystem.”
El-Barasi joined the GCGRA in June of 2023, having previously served with the Abu Dhabi Media Company and with Ernst & Young. The GCGRA notes that she plays a ‘key role in the GCGRA’s strategic decision-making processes through effective financial forecasting and communication with various government and private stakeholders’.
The UAE is set to see the opening of its first integrated resort with a casino in 2027: Wynn Al Marjan Island, overseen by the GCGRA. In preparation for casino gaming, the regulator has been filling its ranks with seasoned gaming professionals with international experience.
In November, the GCGRA Board appointed former CEO of MGM Resorts International Jim Murren as its interim CEO, after Kevin Mullally stepped down from the role. Mullally has since been appointed as the CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
Dingnews.com 25/02/2026