UAE Steps into the Global Gaming Market with Marjan Island Resort
This is something that many people never thought they would see; a casino in the UAE.
A major shift is underway in the United Arab Emirates as Ras Al Khaimah prepares to host the country’s first-ever casino. Wynn Marjan Island Resort, a $3.9 billion luxury integrated destination, is expected to open its doors in 2027. This is a significant moment for a region where gambling has traditionally been off-limits.
Fast Facts 📰
📌 Ras Al Khaimah looks to be the host for the first ever physical casino in the UAE – Wynn Marjan Island Resort.
📌 The casino is set to open its dors in 2027 and will be a large scale resort with many restaurants, bars, shopping and spa facilities.
📌 This investment signals more than just the introduction of gaming and it could even provide further global visibility for gambling in the Emirates.
The project has already made headlines across the globe. As the northernmost emirate in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah has taken a daring step forward, setting the stage for what could become a booming new sector. Wynn Resorts secured a commercial gaming license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in October, with a tax rate structure projected between 10% and 12% of gross gaming revenue.
While the UAE is no stranger to luxury developments, a casino resort in the middle of the desert still feels like a daring bet. Experts believe this could turn Ras Al Khaimah into a further hotspot for tourism and entertainment.
Not Just Another Resort
Though casinos already exist in countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Morocco, and Tunisia, none compare in scale or ambition to what Wynn is developing in Ras Al Khaimah. The Wynn Marjan Island Resort is set to offer over 1,500 rooms as well as a 100,000 sq ft. conference space and at least 24 restaurants and bars. The gaming area will occupy at least 4% of the floor area.
The property will also include spa facilities and luxury shopping spread across 15,000 square meters. Positioned on Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago comprising four coral-shaped islands – the resort is part of a grander vision for a high-end hospitality and residential hub.
Wynn CEO Craig Billings has described the UAE as “the most exciting new market for our industry in decades.” The resort itself sits on 155 acres of Island Three, with additional land secured for future expansion.
Wynn’s move is already influencing broader industry dynamics across the region. MGM Resorts has responded with its own ambitious development in the form of a luxury resort project worth $2.5 billion in Dubai. Although it doesn’t include a casino, the development will feature multiple hotels and entertainment venues, including a “Dubai Sphere” inspired by Las Vegas’ newest landmark.
According to Billings, “It will likely be us and us alone for a multiyear period.” He anticipates that the resort’s uniqueness and scale will make it a signature tourist attraction, driving substantial free cash flow and strengthening the company’s long-term market position.
With Wynn Marjan Resort leading the way, Ras Al Khaimah may soon emerge as a key entertainment destination in the Gulf. This bold investment signals more than just the introduction of gaming and it could even provide further global visibility for the emirates.
