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

It was underlined that engaging in, conducting, or enabling commercial gaming activities within the UAE without approval from the GCGRA is illegal and anyone breaking the rules could face severe penalties. 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 Wiki 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. Scheduled to open Spring 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been created as an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults (19 per cent) expressed interest in playing poker or other skill-based card games, and 15 per cent said they would consider playing bingo. 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. Those over 45 are nearly twice as likely to be interested in raffles and prize draws (62 per cent) than 18–24-year-olds (34 per cent).

Wynn and its local partners are aiming to have the hotel tower topped off by the end of this year. Wynn Resorts, which runs high-end hotel complexes in Las Vegas, Boston and the Chinese territory of Macau, said the UAE represented its most "exciting market for integrated resort development in decades" in an investors report shared on Tuesday night. 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. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, established by Federal Law by Decree and uae sports betting based in Abu Dhabi, holds exclusive authority to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming in the UAE. This may also apply in the UAE, with 21 per cent of female residents showing interest in bingo wagering compared to 12 per cent of men.

What is the UAE’s gaming regulator?

"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. With the right facilities, on-site betting could expand to golf, football, and tennis events. The leading source of hotel industry news for lodging, real estate, and investment professionals. 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. More information about how to play is expected soon with representatives from the GCGRA stating it was a “pivotal” step for the country.

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The use of the word "gaming" is the same language used by the equivalent authorities in the US.

• 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.
• 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.
• That’s par for the course with Wynn venues, which largely focus on amenities such as high-end eateries, entertainment, and plush accommodations for guests.
• 46 per cent of adult participants said they would be interested in entering raffles and prize draws, while over a third (34 per cent) would consider playing the lottery.

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Provide your email and indicate your key interests to receive tailored news and exclusive offers prior to the debut of Wynn Al Marjan Island. Wynn Resorts will operate two separate gaming areas in its upcoming Ras Al Khaimah resort, according to a Wynn VP speaking in the emirate Thursday. Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax. “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”.

Located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Al Marjan Island sits on more than 60 hectares and draws some inspiration from the operator’s famed Las Vegas Strip properties. Arabian Business reported that the UAE venue is nearly 60% complete, indicating the frequently mentioned early 2027 opening date remains in play. 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. When lottery-only participation is excluded, around 17 per cent of British adults engage in online gambling, suggesting similar potential in the UAE.