Leading US casino operator Wynn Resorts is already developing what looks certain to become the UAE’s first integrated resort with gaming on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The report comes after the UAE revealed in early September the establishment of an official gambling regulator – the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) – to be led by former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren and tasked with introducing a regulatory framework for commercial gaming as well as a national lottery. However, Bloomberg cited sources which indicated that senior government officials in Dubai currently don’t believe that a casino is necessary, since the city is already a large tourism hub in itself.But there is no guarantee each emirate would make use of its license, with Dubai said to be putting any immediate thoughts of introducing casinos on hold for now.

Now, according to Bloomberg, Abu Dhabi is currently looking at potential sites for such an integrated resort, with two of the main options being Yas Island, already home to many entertainment offerings, and a site close to the port.Īs for Ras Al Khaimah, gaming operator Wynn Resorts has already announced in 2022 its plan to establish an IR with a casino in this emirate, with preliminary construction work beginning on Wynn Al Marjan Island, with the property set to open in 2027. Under the current proposal, the central government could grant a single casino licence to each of the seven emirates, if the jurisdiction wants to open up to gamblingĪ 2023 report by Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the UAE could generate up to $6.6bn in gambling revenue annually, potentially surpassing Singapore. The UAE has recently taken a decisive step towards the legalisation of gaming in the country by creating a General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority headed by Jim Murren, former chairman of the American Gaming Association and CEO of MGM Resorts. The emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi will push ahead with plans to open casinos in the UAE after Dubai reportedly pulled out of the race, Bloomberg reported.

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