UAE Gaming Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

Online gaming primarily involves gameplay conducted via the internet. It offers the flexibility to be played on a wide array of devices, including dedicated video game consoles like PlayStations, PCs, laptops, and mobile phones. Within this domain, players enjoy while seizing opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. Furthermore, online gaming presents various multiplayer options and robust support for competitive play, developing connections and engagements with others within a dynamic virtual environment.

Market Insights & Analysis: The UAE Gaming Market (2025-30):

The UAE Gaming Market size was valued at around USD 484.1 million in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 754.2 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.16% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The increasing popularity of smartphones and the availability of high-speed internet across the country has been playing a pivotal role in driving this growth, providing users with uninterrupted access to gaming content.

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Also, with the worldwide lockdown imposed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, video games turned out to be a major boost for the gaming industry. During this period, consumers have been observed to be substantially inclined toward the adoption of online video games, which has resulted in expanding the overall consumer base for this market. Thus, it helped companies in the gaming market to secure decent funding across various deals. Hence, this has led to significant growth in the gaming market across the UAE.

Furthermore, burgeoning government support for gamers in line with the UAE Vision 2025 to boost the gaming industry as a key contributor to the nation’s economy is another crucial aspect driving the demand for games. The government has established dedicated gaming zones, such as the Dubai Studio City, providing a supportive ecosystem for the gaming industry. Recognizing the economic potential and cultural impact of gaming, authorities have implemented policies to attract game developers and investors. For instance,

• In 2024, the UAE government announced its plan to invest around USD 1 billion in eSports development in the country, and it also announced the establishment of an Esports Island in Abu Dhabi.

Hence, the supportive government efforts to boost the industry would help in escalating demand for online gaming solutions. Also, the establishment of dedicated online gaming spaces would help escalate this demand in the forthcoming years.

The UAE Gaming Market Driver:

Increasing Number of Affordable Internet Plans Providing Easy Access to Virtual Games – The burgeoning internet penetration & digital economy have made internet plans quite affordable and accessible in the UAE. Telecom providers in the country such as 3W networks, Etisalat, etc., have also been engaged in providing high-speed and cost-effective internet plans for UAE consumers, specifically through the improvement of internet infrastructure. Such cost-effective internet plans have led to wider internet access among UAE residents, which has made it easier for them to access online gaming. Improved internet access has also allowed consumers to easily download the games on their PCs, laptops, and mobile phones which has surged the overall gaming market growth in the country. Further, with this, developers have also been continually enhancing the gaming experience through code advancements, capitalizing on the onset of high bandwidth network connectivity. The high-speed internet connectivity also allows consumers to access multiplayer gaming solutions, which has substantially contributed to enhancing the overall consumer experience. Therefore, the widespread accessibility of the internet ensures a diverse user base and has been acting as a prominent market driver in the UAE Gaming Industry.

The UAE Gaming Market Opportunity:

Escalating Government Initiatives to Boost 5G Infrastructure in the UAE to Offer Lucrative Growth Opportunities – Recently, the UAE government has been focusing on improving its internet connectivity through developing advanced infrastructure that supports 5G internet. It is mainly driven by the UAE government's commitment to technological advancement in the country. Several efforts underscoring this development plan include the allocation of additional spectrum for 5G networks and the facilitation of partnerships between telecom operators and technology providers. For instance,

• In 2023 the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the UAE announced the completion of the second phase of its “5G-Advanced” trials project, with speeds up to 10 Gbps using a wide swath of 6 GHz spectrum.

Hence, the development of 5G internet services would help in increasing a stable internet connection to minimize breakouts in gaming & stipulate gamers play games without any speed breakout for a better gaming experience. Also, gamers would be able to download large games on their devices without worrying about buffering and speed of download. Hence, the UAE’s government initiatives to create a favorable environment for gamers in the country by providing 5G infrastructure are expected to create market opportunities for growth in the coming years.

The UAE Gaming Market Challenge:

Stringent Regulations for Content on Gaming Platforms to Impede Market Growth – The dynamic regulations imposed by the UAE government to align with local cultural values and norms have been acting as a major challenge in the growth of the gaming industry. In the UAE Gaming Market, strict regulations prohibit content disrespecting Islam or criticizing the government. Games featuring nudity, gambling, or alcohol/drug references have age restrictions, and content promoting dangerous behavior or alcohol has been strictly banned. For instance,

• In 2023, Red Dead Redemption 2, a Western action-adventure video game was banned in the UAE after two months of its release date due to nudity found in gaming pictures.

This poses significant challenges for developers and publishers as they need to consciously navigate the regulatory landscape of the UAE gaming industry. Hence, the top gaming companies need to make substantial investments in adopting the regulations and preparing games confined to the country, which has been hindering market growth.

The UAE Gaming Market Trend:

Rise in Technological Advancements like AR/VR in the Gaming Sector – The growing market trend in UAE gaming revolves around the heightened demand for AR/VR gaming, aimed at enriching the gaming experience for consumers. Further, the improving accessibility of advanced AR/VR technologies in mega cities in the country such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc., has captivated gamers, offering immersive and interactive experiences. Moreover, the rise of metaverse gaming, where users create personalized virtual identities and environments, has further fuelled the growth of AR/VR in gaming among consumers.

Additionally, the growing consumer inclination to own virtual assets with the rising popularity of such metaverse games has been expanding the demand for gaming solutions across the country. To cater to this increasing demand for AR/VR solutions in gaming, several VR hubs have been launched across the UAE in recent years. For instance,

• In 2022, Pixoul Gaming announced the launch of a state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) and Esports hub in Abu-Dhabi for gamers of all skills.

Hence, the upsurge in the establishment of AR/VR hubs for gaming engaging a large number of gamers in the country is serving as a significant trend for market growth & expansion.

The UAE Gaming Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The UAE Gaming Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends & influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Platform Type-

• PC and PC Browser
• Mobile
• Tablets
• Console

Among these, mobile games have been gaining significant growth in demand across the UAE, as they are easy to download and can be played on the go, making them an ideal source of entertainment. Also, they have been easily available and do not require additional equipment to operate, hence, offering a low-cost alternative. In addition, the availability of technologically advanced smartphones, specifically designed for gaming purposes has also been amplifying the demand for mobile gaming solutions. Moreover, the increasing launch of innovative, free mobile games easily available on Play Store and Apple Store further boost the growth of the mobile segment. Thus, the easy availability and convenience associated with mobile games are expected to boost the growth of the mobile segment in the market.

Based on Gaming Type:

• Puzzles
• Shooter
• Action
• Sports
• Role Play
• Others (Simulation, Social Games, etc.)

The shooter segment has gained a quite prominent market share across the UAE Gaming Market in recent years. This has been mainly driven by the availability of interesting storylines, various levels, and environments in shooting games, as developers try to keep players engaged. Also, shooting games often have competitive multiplayer features, encouraging players to return for more fun. It also allows players to customize their experience, from the feasibility of choosing their weapons to characters, which attracts a larger consumer base in this segment. Furthermore, the development of advanced mobile devices that can run graphically intense games is projected to enhance the attractiveness of shooting games among gamers. Hence, this would further help in driving the shooting game segment revenue growth in the coming years.

The UAE Gaming Industry Recent Development:

• 2024: Ubisoft, unveiled NEO NPC, a GenAI project for real-time conversations with in-game characters. Developed with Nvidia’s Audio2Face and Inworld’s LLM, it focuses on authentic dialogues crafted by real writers.
• 2024: Activision Blizzard partnered with Jumbo Group to expand its presence in the UAE, and other four countries. Jumbo became the exclusive retail distributor for Activision Blizzard, launching Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled with a 6-week campaign and a unique customer event at Dubai Autodrome.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our The UAE Gaming Market Report

• The UAE Gaming Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• The UAE Gaming Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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