eSports has become an integral component as it acts as the catalyst of UAE’s digital economy. Competitive gaming is reshaping the industry, including mainstream and niche gaming. The government makes substantial efforts to organize eSports events to boost tourism and streamline tech innovation. In today’s article, I will discuss the role of eSports in UAE’s digital economy.
eSports Market Growth in the UAE
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The eSports market in UAE is growing, and research shows that it will reach $492.9 million by 2027. Currently, the market value is $420.9 million. The annual growth rate of the eSports sector is 5.4% between 2024 and 2027. Mobile gaming is leading the iGaming landscape. It generates over $173.6 million every year.
Online casinos, sports betting platforms, and eSports have an increasing number of players in the UAE. The player base will reach 1.7 million by 2027. Likewise, this has paved paths for iGaming platforms like 888 Casino, Betfinal, and others to offer esports betting services. Anyways, the average review per user will hit $279.6 in the coming years.
Government Initiatives are Driving eSports Growth
The UAE is making substantial efforts to drive gaming growth. Dubai leads the way as this Emirate plans to develop a gaming program for 2033. It will create over 30,000 jobs and contribute $1 billion to Dubai’s GDP.
In addition, the program will focus on talent development, technological advancement, and content creation. The initiative by the UAE government, particularly Dubai-based eSports programs, aligns with the digital economy strategy and AI charter.
The government launched the Dubai Gaming Visa in 2024, targeting professionals aged 25+ with eSports industry experience. Not only will the Dubai government offer long-term residency and tax-free earnings, but it will also facilitate enthusiasts access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Contribution to Digital Infrastructure Development
The UAE focuses on revolutionizing the country’s digital landscape with 5G technology. It is extremely important for cloud gaming, and the government aims to target 1,545 million subscriptions in Asia-Pacific by 2025.
Edge computing is another technology the UAE government is focusing on to reduce latency and promote competitive gaming. Abu Dhabi and Dubai invest in cutting-edge platforms like Hub Zero to encourage, train, and promote local talent. These facilities integrate AI and IoT.
Moreover, the Dubai Silicon Oasis tech park invites global gaming companies to organize events in the city and attract gamers. So this will boost the country’s digital ecosystem.
Will the UAE Become the Global eSports Hub?
The world is rapidly adopting modern technologies in all industries, and the UAE is not behind. The government is investing billions of dollars to streamline the digital industry. While it has not legalized gambling yet, Ras Al Khaimah will start operating the first UAE Casino in 2027. Thus, this will achieve a 5.4% annual growth rate and position the UAE as a global gaming hub.