UAE's first casino: Ras Al Khaimah targets millions of visitors with $3 8 billion gaming resort

“As a brand, we are not interested in adding a casino to one of our properties,” Attilio Marro, Senior Director of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, told our team. He emphasized the group’s opposition to casino integration in Dubai, prioritizing luxury and elegance over gambling. Wynn Ras Al Khaimah has recently unveiled new photos, offering a glimpse into the progress of their upcoming gaming resort set to open in 2027. Todd Lenahan of Wynn Design and Development shared also insights into the resort’s design inspiration.

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Wynn Resorts has secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming license for its resort in Ras Al Khaimah. The Game (lottery) is also licensed and remains the only other legal gambling activity in the country. Kevin Mullally, chief executive of the GCGRA, said at the time that the authority's regulatory framework was designed to ensure the integrity, fairness and transparency of commercial gaming activities in the country “which include lottery games”. Since they are also forms of gambling, online casinos and sportsbooks are covered by the law and must be licensed by the gaming regulator in the UAE.

• To gauge interest in betting, a survey was conducted with YouGov, targeting over 1,000 people in the UAE (1,051 to be precise).
• The $3.8 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah will seek to "capture untapped domestic gaming demand" from the UAE's large expatriate community as well as draw in "high-end gaming clientele from abroad", the report states.
• “As a brand, we are not interested in adding a casino to one of our properties,” Attilio Marro, Senior Director of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, told our team.
• Guests will discover 24 thoughtfully planned restaurants, lounges, a beach club, and nightclub.
• Sports betting falls under the same legal framework as other forms of gambling in the UAE – they need to be licensed by the UAE.
• The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, holds exclusive authority to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming in the UAE.

The $3.8 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah will seek to "capture untapped domestic gaming demand" from the UAE's large expatriate community as well as draw in "high-end gaming clientele from abroad", the report states. An award-winning in-house team of designers, architects, and creatives oversees every detail in a new Wynn resort, and that dedication to exceptional quality and singular vision extends to Wynn Al Marjan Island. Our beautifully appointed accommodations are matched by a curated selection of highly desired amenities and an exceptional level of personalized service, all to create moments that are unparalleled and unforgettable. The punishment for gambling illegally in Dubai can be penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and/or fines up to AED 50,000 (over $10,000). Wynn Resorts’ CEO, Craig Billings, predicts the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort to be a transformative tourism gem in the United Arab Emirates, with construction progressing towards its next phase and a strategic focus on long-term shareholder value. Michael Weaver, the Chief Communications Officer at Wynn Resorts, has disclosed that the long-awaited introduction of the gaming facility will be strategically synchronized with the highly anticipated grand opening of the resort.

This pause prompts reflection for organizers and regulators, amidst regulatory adjustments and operational reviews. Our team’s latest report on UAE gambling showcases the major events of 2024, the trends for 2025, and the big picture of what’s ahead for the UAE gaming industry. Meanwhile, MGM Resorts has proposed a casino project in Abu Dhabi and has applied for a gaming license. Wynn Resorts has secured its gaming license and is moving forward with its casino project in Ras Al Khaimah, north of Dubai. Before this step, prize draws had drawn increasing numbers of participants hoping for significant windfalls. Since its formation, the GCGRA has sought to develop a regulatory framework to protect consumers and stakeholders.

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Wynn, best known for its casino hotel resorts in Las Vegas, Boston and Macau, expect the project will create at least 4,000 jobs and become the next “catalyst” for tourism in the emirate. The economic benefits will be “massive”, stimulating foreign direct investment and employment, Raki Phillips, chief executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, previously told The National. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, established by Federal Law by Decree and based in Abu Dhabi, holds exclusive authority to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming in the UAE. Nearly half of respondents expressed interest in raffles and prize draws—something already familiar in the UAE, such as car, gold, and cash giveaways at Dubai airport.

PayBy has received a GCGRA license, making it the first fintech uae betting sites company authorized to provide financial services to the UAE’s casino industry. Whether you’re curious about the current casino scene in Dubai, seeking legal information, or exploring available options, we’ve got you covered. "We are underway 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."

Licensing and Market Entry

In both More details fine- and casual-dining restaurants, outstanding culinary experiences have been planned amid environments that are simply stunning, with menus and interiors conceived and created by highly acclaimed, legendary chefs and designers. Several dining and lounge venues have been positioned along a picturesque terrace to highlight views of the poolscape, beach, and the glittering Arabian Gulf. On schedule to open early 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been created as an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax. The resort is located less than 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport and is currently under construction on a picturesque island totaling more than 60 hectares that gracefully curve into the beautiful Arabian Gulf. In the UK, women are twice as likely to play bingo than men (online or in person).

The United Arab Emirates sets up a federal entity to regulate gaming and hired veterans of the U.S. gambling industry to lead it, as stated by the news agency WAM. The UAE might allocate one casino license per each of its 7 Emirates in an effort to tap the lucrative gaming tourism market. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) announced the first gaming license and published the framework for gambling, detailing the types of games allowed. MGM Resorts has submitted a casino license application in Abu Dhabi, marking a new opportunity in the UAE’s expanding gaming market. CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed the proposal was sent to the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.