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Please fill out the form below to download the Gaming Playbook.
Hire gaming-savvy promoters, merchandisers, or brand ambassadors in days. With access to a pre-screened talent pool, Channelplay ensures your retail presence is activated quickly, with staff who understand your audience and products.
Entering KSA or UAE?
We handle everything—visa processing, Iqama, payroll, and HR compliance—so you can launch faster, stay fully legal, and focus on growing your brand without bureaucratic delays.
We create immersive and impactful gaming zones, product demos, and promotions to enhance your visibility in key retail environments.
Our teams know gaming culture inside out. Trained to engage customers, demo products, and drive sales, they speak your customers’ language—boosting in-store experience and turning casual browsers into loyal buyers.
From hiring and onboarding to real-time reporting and retail audits, Channelplay delivers a full retail execution solution. We manage it all—so you see results, insights, and control without operational hassle.
License: Secure a business license via the Gulf Cooperation Council authorities. In some markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, foreign investors can fully own businesses.
Legal Structure: Consider establishing an LLC (Limited Liability Company), registering with the Ministry of Commerce, and meeting tax obligations (e.g., 5% VAT in Saudi Arabia and UAE).
Capital Requirements: Capital investment may range between SAR 10M to 50M (~$2.5M - $13.3M) depending on the market. In markets like the UAE, joint ventures or partnerships with local distributors may ease the capital requirement.
Product Approvals: Product certification (e.g., CITC in Saudi Arabia for gaming consoles) is essential, as are compliance checks for hardware accessories and software. All gaming products should adhere to local guidelines, particularly with content approval.
Customs & Tariffs: Customs duties for gaming consoles range from 5% to 15%. Keep in mind that tariffs can fluctuate based on the product type and country of origin, so plan your pricing and logistics accordingly.
Saudization: In Saudi Arabia, Saudization quotas require gaming brands to hire a set percentage of local employees. Ensure you partner with compliant staffing agencies like Channelplay for smooth HR management.
Talent Pool: Engage local influencers, streamers, and e-sports personalities who resonate with the target market, while maintaining compliance with the Saudization policies.
Physical Retail: Distribute through prominent retail chains like Virgin Megastore, Carrefour, and Extra Stores. Additionally, consider premium outlets and gaming-specialty retailers.
E-Commerce: Leverage regional platforms like Noon and Souq for direct-to-consumer sales. Platforms like Amazon.sa and Carrefour UAE offer further reach.
Gaming Cafes: Popular in regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, gaming cafes serve as prime venues for product demos and immersive experiences.
Participate in GCC’s biggest gaming expos such as Games Con, Middle East Games Conference, and GCC e-sports tournaments.
Use local gaming events to showcase new consoles, accessories, and even exclusive, region-specific content.
In 2024, the GCC gaming market was valued at approximately US$2.1 billion, with 15% annual growth, and it is expected to reach US$3.5 billion by 2027. The region’s mobile gaming sector alone is booming, spurred by high internet penetration.
With over 20 million active gamers, the region has one of the world’s highest penetration rates of gamers per capita. This includes hardcore console gamers, casual mobile players, and competitive e-sports enthusiasts.
The GCC is home to major e-sports events like the Gulf Cup, Saudi e-League, and regional qualifiers for international tournaments. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is investing over $38 billion through the Savvy Games Group to further establish itself as a global leader in gaming.
