In a landmark decision, the United Arab Emirates has issued its first ever commercial gambling licence, for a casino development that hospitality executives have promised will “raise the benchmark in luxury hospitality in the region”.
Having rolled the dice by commencing construction work on the Al Marjan Island project already, in partnership with Al Marjan Island Company and the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), US-based Wynn Resorts has been rewarded with the first state rubber stamp from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Liberal legislation accelerating regional development
Thanking the body for its “confidence and trust”, Las Vegas-headquartered Wynn announced the licencing coup with a press release that stated: “We are under way with the construction of our resort in Ras Al Khaimah and look forward to being a key partner in the development of its tourism economy.”
Wynn is not the only gaming and entertainment giant looking to develop casino resorts in the Gulf region. Amid a suite of liberal legislation that has marked the UAE’s ongoing financial, tourism and trade rivalry with Saudi Arabia, the GCGRC was set up in 2023 with a view to responding to numerous developers clamouring to create casino-style developments in the Gulf region. MGM meanwhile is awaiting licencing for its own Abu Dhabi-based project.
“One-of-a-kind”
The granting of approval now means the multi-billion-dollar Wynn Resort can plough ahead towards opening, slated for 2027. In what CEO Craig Billings has called the “pristine setting” of Al Marjan Island’s 7.8 km of white sandy beaches, about 105 km from Dubai and 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the new hotel and casino will offer 1,542 rooms, 22 bars and restaurants, a theatre, and “one-of-a-kind guest experiences”, Billings said.
Billed as “one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most popular leisure and lifestyle destinations”, Al Marjan Island comprises four man-made islands that are already occupied by hoteliers Hilton, Radisson, Movenpick and Rixos. But stakeholders at Wynn and Marjan appear confident their resort will be able to differentiate itself.
Leisure and business
Hailing the licence announcement, Al Marjan Island Company CEO Abdulla Al Abdooli praised Wynn’s acumen and experience in the field of “integrated” resorts. “By leveraging Wynn Resorts’ expertise in developing luxury hospitality destinations, the new development will raise the benchmark in luxury hospitality in the region,” he said. “It will also create exceptional value to the Ras Al Khaimah economy and boost the leisure, business and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions] tourism sectors.”
