Wynn Resort to Open First Casino in United Arab Emirates

Wynn Resorts, known for its luxurious and upscale gaming and hospitality offerings, has been expanding its operations globally, with a focus on high-end destinations and unique experiences for guests. Recently, Wynn Resorts announced plans to construct a $3.9 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which will include the first casino in the UAE. 

The UAE has strict Islamic laws that outright ban commercial gambling. However, the UAE government has been working to establish a regulatory framework for commercial gambling and a national lottery. Although commercial and local online casinos are prohibited, Jamie Wright explains that there are offshore Arab casinos that can freely be enjoyed using a VPN. He explains that most Arabic online casinos do not accept the local currency and should be converted to the dollar, pound, or euro, however, cryptocurrencies are accepted ensuring Arabic players’ anonymity and privacy.

As Wynn’s first beachfront resort, the main attraction will be a hotel tower reaching 1,000 feet in height, making it among the tallest hotel-casinos globally. The resort will feature 1,500 hotel rooms and suites, along with 24 restaurants and lounges, 120,000 square feet of retail space, and a 100,000-square-foot convention center. 

The casino will make up a small portion of the overall 5.6 million square foot property, Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings stated the casino will be larger than their Wynn Las Vegas casino. This is due to Wynn being the only casino operator in the UAE market. The UAE government’s regulatory framework is expected to be managed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), which was established in September 2023. 

However, the government granted Wynn Resorts permission to build a luxury resort with a casino. Despite the attraction, UAE citizens will not be allowed to enter the casino portion of the hotel. While the United Arab Emirates has yet to give its approval for casino gaming, Wynn Al Marjan Island is currently in the works and hopes to open its doors in early 2027.

The UAE government’s main goal is to establish Ras Al Khaimah as a prominent regional leader in sustainable tourism. Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to drive substantial economic growth, with a potential annual revenue of $6.6 billion. The hotel is expected to attract 5.5 million tourists by 2030, significantly transforming the UAE’s tourism sector and economy. Wynn Resorts is hoping to further expand its operations in the UAE, with potential opportunities for additional developments around Wynn Al Marjan Island.

Wynn Resorts achieved the impossible by becoming the first casino in an Arab country. The government of the company granting permission to open a casino marks a significant shift in the country’s stance on gambling. The UAE government has actively embraced and regulated the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. This openness to new technologies and innovation could potentially pave the way for the introduction of online crypto betting sites, once the GCGRA establishes clear policies and regulations for the emerging gaming industry.

The potential for expansion of casino and game operations in the UAE aligns with the government’s focus on attracting foreign investment and promoting innovation. Should the UAE explore this niche market of crypto-based gambling, it could potentially establish the country as a prominent player in the global casino and gaming industry. The economic benefits of this shift can be substantial, with the Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort paving the way to support the UAE’s aim of growing its tourism sector, investment, and overall economic development in the UAE.