Wynn Project Will Be The Catalyst For A Gaming Boom In The UAE

Wynn Resorts’ ambitious project to build a new complex at Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will provide a massive boost to the local economy.

The resort will be the first legal gaming destination in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state and could be the trigger for similar developments further down the line.

Carefully Expanding into the Middle East

Chief Communications Officer at Wynn Resorts, Michael Weaver, told Arabian Travel Market how the company is culturally aware and will respect local values.

Throughout the planning and execution of the project, they put sensitivity at the forefront as they bid to establish a company that marries luxury hospitality with Middle Eastern authenticity.

Wynn already has a massive reputation in the resort business and is not afraid to leverage it to build cross-market loyalty.

The company recently acquired Crown London to strengthen ties with London’s Middle Eastern visitor base, and the plan is simple.

People flock to the United Kingdom (UK) in the summer. Wynn wants to convert that affinity into an interest in visiting their Ras Al Khaimah resort.

Navigating Emirati Participation and Public Opinion

There are around 1.15 million Emirati citizens. They are only 10 percent of the total population, meaning the consumer base is minuscule, but still considerable.

According to Weaver, locals are welcome to the resort. However, they will not be allowed to play at the casino because of the law set by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).

Despite the restriction, Emiratis are still excited about the project. Wynn’s research showed that around 90% of UAE travellers view the resort positively. Over 80% of GCC travellers feel the same.

Wynn has the backing of the Ras Al Khaimah ruling family and the government, who have invested in the project, and it has a long-term role to play in the tourism industry.

GCGRA – A Watchdog for the Future of UAE Gaming

The government established the GCGRA by a federal decree to oversee, regulate and license all commercial gaming activity in the UAE, both land-based casinos and online platforms.

The first land-based casino is still be under construction, but several online casinos in the UAE already welcome Arab players and more will jump on the bandwagon.

Besides licensing, the GCGRA is building a regulatory environment that prioritises security and integrity while encouraging innovation.

The GCGRA has already issued warnings against unlicensed operators. They have alerted consumers to risks such as malware. This gatekeeping will be their permanent role in the UAE gaming sector.

 Online Gaming and Global Partnerships 

Even though Wynn is currently working on delivering its land-based casino, the GCGRA has a regulatory reach that extends to the online gaming sector.

Internet-based gaming will play a key role in the Middle Eastern market, and the GCGRA is working tirelessly to ensure this sector embraces technological innovation while remaining responsible.

Unsurprisingly, the GCGRA has looked to the United States for expertise. They recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

DGE is a world-renowned leader in online gaming oversight. The MOU covers cybersecurity, consumer protection and responsible gaming technology.

This partnership shows how committed the GCGRA is to creating a world-class regulatory structure in the physical and digital realm.

Blazing the Trail for the Rest of the Gulf to Follow

Wynn Resorts and the UAE have flipped the script on gaming in the Middle East. What many people previously thought would never fly in the Gulf is being moulded into a well-controlled, economically lucrative sector.

Involving world-class regulators, international partners and government stakeholders means this is a long-term play designed to diversify the economy, grow tourism and ensure the UAE remains a technological leader.

The world is watching to see how the Wynn Al Marjan project fares. If it succeeds, it could become the benchmark for how gaming can operate in a sensitive market.

The UAE can lay the blueprint for the rest of the Gulf to follow as they also look to wean their economies off their reliance on oil wealth.