A DMCC Gaming License lets studios, publishers and esports businesses operate from Dubai through DMCC's dedicated Gaming Centre — a purpose-built hub for game development, publishing and interactive entertainment with 100% foreign ownership.
DMCC Gaming Centre
DMCC created the Gaming Centre to attract studios, publishers, esports teams and supporting service providers into one ecosystem in JLT. It offers a recognised licence, community and access to talent and investors, positioning Dubai as a regional gaming hub.
Beyond the licence, DMCC gives a studio real substance in the UAE: residence visas for the team, a credible base for publishing deals, and proximity to the wider tech and Web3 ecosystem for blockchain-enabled games. It is a specialist branch of DMCC business setup that our JLT team handles end to end.
Which licence a game studio needs
Most studios, publishers and esports operators run on a DMCC service licence; add trading activities if you sell physical merchandise or hardware. A flexi desk supports up to three visas, which is enough for a founding team.
If your game monetises through crypto or NFTs, you may also fall under VARA, Dubai's virtual-asset regulator. See DMCC crypto licence and map this early.
Setup, step by step
Define your activityDevelopment, publishing, esports or services.
Choose your licenceUsually a service licence, then file for DMCC initial approval.
Take a flexi deskin or near the Gaming Centre.
Get your licence and visasthen open your bank account.
Plug into the ecosystemEvents, talent and investors through the Gaming Centre.
Prices are DMCC’s official packages and Schedule of Charges (checked October 2026). Your final quote confirms the live fee. Pro24 is based in Platinum Tower, JLT.
Set up your gaming studio in DMCC
Fixed all-in pricing on the current DMCC Gaming Centre promotion.
It is DMCC's dedicated ecosystem for game developers, publishers, esports and gaming services, offering a recognised free-zone licence with community and talent access in JLT.
What can I license under a DMCC gaming licence?
Game development and design, publishing and distribution, esports organisations and tournaments, streaming and gaming media, and gaming technology services.
How much does a DMCC gaming licence cost?
From AED 31,000 with DMCC’s official Gaming Centre package (licence plus co-working access), before visas. We quote the current DMCC promotion as a fixed price.
Can gaming founders get UAE residence visas?
Yes. A gaming company can sponsor residence visas for founders and team members, with the quota scaling from the flexi-desk allocation upward.
Can I run an esports team from DMCC?
Yes. Esports team and tournament operation are supported activities in the DMCC Gaming Centre.
Do gaming companies pay tax in DMCC?
They fall under UAE Corporate Tax: 0% on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, otherwise 9%. There is no personal income tax.
How we keep this page accurate. Fees and process steps are checked against DMCC’s official Schedule of Charges and the DMCC Knowledge Bank guidelines, and against the DMCC member-portal filings our JLT team handles every week. Last verified: October 2026. Government fees change, so we confirm the live figure before you pay.
