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How to Start an E-Games & Entertainment Hall Equipment Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone
Abu Dhabi is building a billion-dollar esports island. Dubai hosted the Games of the Future with a USD 10 million prize pool.
Inside every mall, hotel resort, and family entertainment centre across the country, there are arcade cabinets, VR rigs, redemption games, bowling lanes, kiddie rides, and simulation pods that somebody had to source, import, and sell. The headline investment goes to the tournaments.
The wholesale opportunity is in the machines.
The global arcade games machine market is valued at USD 14.45 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 23.79 billion by 2035 at a 5.11 percent CAGR, according to Market Research Future¹. The broader arcade game market stands at USD 54.71 billion in 2025, heading for USD 80.05 billion by 2035, per Market Research Future².
The UAE gaming market was valued at USD 484.1 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 754.2 million by 2030 at 6.16 percent CAGR, per MarkNtel Advisors³. The Middle East and Africa hold approximately 5 percent of the global arcade market share and are among the fastest-growing regions, driven by a young population, rising entertainment spending, and government investment in leisure infrastructure¹.
Dubai-based Amusement Services International (ASI) and Texel Amusement have operated as specialist equipment suppliers for over two decades, serving family entertainment centres, malls, hotels, and theme parks across the MENA region and Indian subcontinent.
For wholesale traders importing and distributing arcade machines, VR equipment, amusement rides, and entertainment hall fitout hardware, the UAE offers a market where new venues are opening continuously and equipment lifecycle replacement creates recurring demand.
Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving entertainment equipment wholesalers a fast setup in a market where new venues, government-backed gaming investment, and a young population are driving sustained equipment demand.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Arcade and amusement equipment importers | |
| VR and immersive experience suppliers | |
| FEC fitout and turnkey equipment traders | |
| Traders sourcing video arcade cabinets, redemption games, racing simulators, shooting games, crane machines, and kiddie rides from manufacturers like Sega, Namco, Raw Thrills, and Bandai Namco for wholesale distribution to FECs, malls, and entertainment venues across the UAE and GCC. | |
| Businesses importing VR headsets, motion simulators, AR projection systems, immersive pods, and interactive floor games for supply to entertainment centres, esports venues, hotel leisure facilities, and corporate event operators. | |
| Operators providing complete equipment packages for new family entertainment centres, bowling alleys, and amusement zones, from initial fitout supply through to equipment refresh and lifecycle replacement across the region. |
4649.23 - Equipment Trading Of E-Games And Entertainment Halls
This activity covers the wholesale trade of equipment used in electronic gaming venues, arcades, amusement centres, and entertainment halls. You are buying and selling gaming and amusement equipment in wholesale quantities for distribution to venue operators, mall developers, hospitality groups, and other traders.
The scope covers arcade game cabinets (video, racing, shooting, fighting), redemption and prize games, crane and claw machines, VR and AR gaming equipment, motion simulators, interactive projection systems, bowling equipment, kiddie rides, air hockey tables, pinball machines, and other amusement hardware installed in family entertainment centres, gaming lounges, entertainment halls, and similar commercial venues.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Arcade game machines | Video, racing and shooting cabinets Wholesale of arcade video game cabinets, racing simulators, shooting games, and fighting game machines from Sega, Namco, Raw Thrills, and other global manufacturers for FECs and gaming zones. UAE MARKET CONTEXT The UAE gaming market is projected to reach USD 754.2 million by 2030; Abu Dhabi announced USD 1 billion in esports investment in 2024. |
| VR and simulation equipment | VR rigs, AR systems and motion pods Import and distribution of VR headsets, motion simulation pods, AR interactive floors, and immersive gaming stations for entertainment venues, esports facilities, and hotel leisure zones. GROWTH SEGMENT VR and AR integration in arcade venues is the leading technology trend; immersive experiences drive higher dwell time and repeat visits with ROI of 8 to 18 months. |
| Redemption and novelty games | Crane machines, prize games and carnival Trading in crane and claw machines, ticket redemption games, carnival games, and novelty amusement units. Redemption games are the fastest-growing arcade segment globally. VENUE PIPELINE New malls, hotel resorts, and entertainment complexes opening across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates create continuous demand for equipment supply and fitout. |
| Rides, bowling and attractions | Kiddie rides, bowling lanes and air hockey Wholesale of kiddie rides, bowling lane equipment, air hockey tables, foosball tables, and other physical amusement attractions for family entertainment centres and leisure venues. INDUSTRY PRESENCE ASI (26 years in Dubai) and Texel (since 2003) are established equipment suppliers; Asia Pioneer Entertainment is actively pursuing UAE distributor licenses in 2026. |
This activity covers wholesale trade of e-games and entertainment hall equipment only. This category of wholesale trading excludes wholesale of blank audio and video tapes, CDs and DVDs, wholesale of radio and TV broadcasting equipment, and wholesale of office furniture.
Simply put, if you are importing arcade machines, VR rigs, amusement equipment, or entertainment hall hardware and selling them at wholesale volumes to venue operators, developers, or other traders, this is your activity. If you are manufacturing equipment, running a gaming venue, or selling consumer electronics to walk-in shoppers, it is not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ Market Research Future — Arcade Games Machine Market Size Forecast to 2035 — https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/arcade-games-machine-market-24567
- ² Market Research Future — Arcade Game Market Size, Growth and Outlook to 2035 — https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/arcade-game-market-26334
- ³ MarkNtel Advisors — UAE Gaming Market Size, Share, Industry Forecast 2030 — https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/uae-gaming-market.html
