UAEs Wynn Al Marjan expects up to $1 6bn in annual gross gaming revenue
PayBy has received a GCGRA license, making it the first fintech company authorized to provide financial services to the UAE’s casino industry. Everything you need to know about the casinos in and around Dubai.Whether you’re curious about the current casino scene in Dubai, seeking legal information, or exploring available options, we’ve got you covered. The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the betting app in uae online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, thefunds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive. “Commercial gaming” refers to “any game of chance, or combination of chance and skill, where an amount of money, in cash or cash equivalents, is wagered – placed as a bet – for the purpose of winning a sum of money or other valuable items”. 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.
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Momentum Gaming begins hiring for future online casino and sportsbook operations, anticipating regulatory green light for digital gambling in the UAE. An earlier version of this article misstated that gaming revenues expected from the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort would represent around 90 percent of total revenue. If you find any form of gambling related to casinos, make sure it is licensed by the gaming regulator.
CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed the proposal was sent to the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. With the first licensed online platform officially live in the UAE, players can More details finally access a legal digital alternative from within the country. A multibillion-dollar mega resort in Ras Al Khaimah planned by a major US hotel operator aims to be a magnet for "ultra high net-worth" customers and attract tourists from across the globe after securing a gaming licence from UAE authorities. Following the UAE’s first legal lottery license to The Game LLC, GCGRA has expanded its licensing with Aristocrat Technologies and Smartplay International. The focus remains on transparent, fair draws, with tickets available online and prizes awarded promptly. This change will allow for the issuance of gambling licenses, including for casino operations.
He emphasized the group’s opposition to casino integration in Dubai, prioritizing luxury and elegance over gambling. 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. Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains. Marjan Island is a development of four reclaimed islands with more than 7.8km of pristine beaches and 23km of waterfront, in addition to world-class hotels and residential developments. Part of a manmade archipelago highlighting breathtaking waterfront views and white-sand beaches, Al Marjan Island is conveniently located 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport and only 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.
From plush accommodations to exceptional dining and sought-after amenities, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been conceptualized as the centerpiece of an upscale destination offering the finest in hospitality and entertainment. 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.
MGM President and CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, has already confirmed that the $2.5 billion resort project is awaiting approval for a gambling license and is set to become the first casino in Dubai. Sports betting falls under the same legal framework as other forms of gambling in the UAE – they need to be licensed by the UAE. Gambling is only allowed through legal operators who have obtained a license from the UAE’s gaming regulator. 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.
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GCGRA granted new vendor licenses to Aristocrat and Smartplay, enhancing gaming equipment, lottery operations, and online gambling. Gambling remains prohibited in the Emirates, as it is across the Gulf, but the UAE's gaming regulator has been set up to oversee and supervise commercial 'gaming activities'. These include lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering and land-based integrated gaming centres or resorts. The UAE issued vendor licenses to key sports betting and iGaming technology firms, signaling active preparation for future online gambling operations. The UAE confirmed a policy to permit one licensed online gambling operator per emirate, subject to local approval, setting a controlled foundation for digital betting.
Wynn Al Marjan Island has announced a major construction milestone, achieving structural completion for what is set to become the Middle East’s first fully integrated resort. While Sharia serves as a guiding principle, the UAE’s legal system is a hybrid structure that also incorporates elements of civil law to govern various aspects of public and private life. By now the UAE is a major global tourist destination known for its hospitality and cosmopolitan cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi and visitors are also expected to abide by local laws, including those regarding gambling. Meydan Racecourse and Jebel Ali Racecourse serve not only as venues for witnessing the majestic sport of horse racing but also as centers where limited forms of betting take place. It’s crucial to understand that any form of wagering conducted here is heavily regulated and operates within a legal framework designed to maintain the integrity of the sport and adhere to the country’s laws.
Hear directly from industry leaders such as Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM, or Bruno Ascenção, a gambling lawyer in Macau, as they share their views on the future of gambling in the UAE. There are several projects in Dubai and nearby areas that are already awaiting licenses, which could pave the way for the introduction of casinos in the region. The UAE has recently made strides towards regulating certain forms of gambling, and casinos are awaiting license approval. 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. One of the operators at the time said the pause was the result of an “industrywide mandate” that was consistent with the new role to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the country. In July, regulators in the UAE were awarded a licence for the country’s first authorised lottery.
CEO Craig Billings and other executives recently flew to the Emirates to give an update on progress. The closed event was for investors only, but Wynn has made the 74-page presentation public. To mark the topping out milestone, senior executives from Wynn Resorts, Wynn Design and Development and Marjan gathered at the summit of the tower overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
- 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.
- Guests will discover 24 thoughtfully planned restaurants, lounges, a beach club, and nightclub.
- The issuance of a gaming license to The Game LLC for lottery operations was a significant first step, indicating a measured introduction of regulated gambling.
- Wynn Al Marjan Island will also be a passive profit generator of sorts for the parent company.
The resort will include 22 restaurants, lounges and bars, a beach club, a spa and beauty destination, a retail parterre, 12 pools, a 420 metre white sand beach and a deep water marina capable of accommodating superyachts. The development, led by Wynn Resorts in partnership with Marjan, has reached its highest structural concrete point at 283 metres across 70 floors, just 27 months after foundation works began. Our selected sites at EmirPlay excel in entertainment and uphold trusted iGaming licenses, expertly reviewed. Additionally, we’re committed to staying abreast of the law, and each user is accountable for their actions. Since the beginning of speculation, we’ve covered news on Dubai’s casinos and the legalization of gambling.
Wynn estimates the UAE casino hotel could contribute $265 million to $460 million in yearly earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and fees, though some on Wall Street view that forecast as restrained. Wynn has not published its net gaming revenue figure, which also takes taxes and discounts into account, but its gross gaming revenue could be as high as $1.66 billion. While a length of stay of 1.2 nights seems short, Wynn contextualises it by comparing it to Macau (1.2 to 1.5 nights) and US regional resorts (1 to 1.5 nights). The new deck lays out more detail around gaming demand, including projected length of stay for Wynn Al Marjan visitors. The $5 billion project remains one of the largest private developments in the UAE and an anchor of Ras Al Khaimah’s transformation agenda. The Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, which is on track to open in early 2027, has clearer projections on how the UAE’s first casino will perform.
As the UAE enters the world of regulated gaming, Dubai is poised to issue more licenses soon. Dubai’s is putting casino plans on hold, as senior government officials see it as ‘not a priority’ due to the booming tourism industry in the city. 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. The CEO of MGM emphasized that their hotel development in Dubai is poised to adapt to gaming should there be favorable changes in the legal environment. According to the Dubai Casinos report, as of 2024, casino-related search volumes in the UAE have increased by over 6600% since 2015, with projections indicating that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for online interest.
Some analysts believe that with contributions from other integrated resorts in the future, the UAE could be a $3 billion to $5 billion market in terms of annual gross gaming revenue (GGR). That’s based on the assumption that the country will approve other casino licenses in the future, though it’s widely believed Wynn Al Marjan will be the only game in town for several years. Wynn Resorts has confirmed that it has been awarded the UAE’s first commercial gaming license.
Since its formation, the GCGRA has sought to develop a regulatory framework to protect consumers and stakeholders. "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." "Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the licence grant signifies and is proud to be the recipient of the first commercial gaming facility licence in the UAE. Guests will discover 24 thoughtfully planned restaurants, lounges, a beach club, and nightclub. In both 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.
