Dubai has moved to deepen cooperation with the private sector as it accelerates its global gaming ambitions. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, met executives and creators at the Dubai Gaming Retreat on 6 July 2026. The gathering brought together representatives from 80 local and international gaming companies. During the event, Sheikh Hamdan said strong public-private cooperation would shape the sector’s future. He also stressed that Dubai wants global companies to invest locally while helping new gaming businesses emerge from the emirate. Dubai Gaming PPP Growth now reflects a wider economic strategy rather than a single industry campaign. The retreat focused on talent, regulation, funding, marketing and infrastructure. Therefore, officials used the event to hear directly from developers, publishers, esports companies and investors. This engagement could help Dubai design policies that respond more closely to the needs of the Dubai gaming industry. It also signals that the government wants industry leaders to help convert the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 into practical initiatives.
The consultation continued on 7 July, when the Dubai Media Council convened more than 100 industry leaders and over 300 members of the gaming community. Major participants included PlayStation, Tencent, NVIDIA, Electronic Arts, Discord, HP, ASUS, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Twitch, Bandai Namco, Xsolla, Transcend and Geekay. Moreover, the Dubai Films and Games Commission said it would prepare a report based on recommendations from the retreat. That report will guide future policies, initiatives and strategic partnerships. Hesham Al Olama, chief executive of the commission, said the objective was to foster public-private partnerships, attract talent and investment, and strengthen Dubai’s global competitiveness. However, the official announcements do not yet identify a traditional concession, long-term service contract or privately financed gaming asset. Instead, the emerging model appears broader and more flexible. It may include investment support, skills programmes, shared facilities, innovation platforms and cooperation with global technology companies. Consequently, Dubai’s next steps will show whether the partnership approach develops into formal projects, targeted programmes or a mixture of both.
Dubai already has a strong platform for further expansion. According to Dubai Future Foundation, the emirate hosted more than 350 gaming companies by June 2025, including 260 specialised game developers. More than 60 companies had also established operations after the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 launched in November 2023. In addition, the programme reported sector growth of 16.6%, while large global companies represented 12% of newly established businesses. Dubai aims to rank among the world’s top ten gaming hubs by 2033. It also wants the sector to create 30,000 jobs and add about US$1 billion to gross domestic product. These targets give Dubai Gaming PPP Growth a measurable economic purpose. Gaming now connects software, artificial intelligence, media, esports, education and digital exports. Therefore, partnerships could support local studios while attracting publishers, investors and specialist talent. Yet, officials will need clear indicators for employment, company survival, intellectual property, exports and private investment to demonstrate lasting results.
Dubai’s broader legal framework provides important context for the gaming push. Law No. 22 of 2015 established a framework for partnerships between government entities and private companies, while the Department of Finance PPP Unit supports policy development, project appraisal, procurement and contract oversight. However, cooperation in the gaming sector is unlikely to mirror traditional infrastructure PPPs used for roads, water systems or public facilities. Gaming depends more heavily on technology, creative talent, intellectual property and rapid innovation. Therefore, Dubai Gaming PPP Growth may take shape through co-investment initiatives, business accelerators, training programmes, research facilities and performance-linked incentives. Such arrangements could allow the government to create an enabling environment while private companies contribute funding, expertise, technology and access to global markets.
Source:
Government of Dubai Media Office
