Wynn Resort: UAE's First Casino to Open in March 2027
Wynn Al Marjan, set to become the UAE’s first integrated casino resort, is scheduled to welcome guests in a year and a half, according to CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli in an interview published Monday.
“We remain on track to open the resort in March 2027,” Abdouli told the Khaleej Times. “This is among the UAE’s largest developments and one of the region’s most eagerly awaited projects.”
By August, construction of the $5.1 billion, 70-storey integrated resort had progressed to the 61st floor. Once completed, the property will include a hotel tower with more than 1,500 rooms, the exclusive all-suite Enclave, a 7,500-square-metre events venue, a luxury five-star spa, over 20 dining outlets and what is described as a “glamorous shopping parterre.” The resort’s 20,900-square-metre casino will also feature a “sky gaming” level on the 22nd floor.
The development along the Persian Gulf will provide several pools with private bungalows and cabanas, a marina and 420 metres of private beach. According to its website, Al Marjan was envisioned as the focal point of a high-end destination, combining top-tier hospitality with premium entertainment.
Situated less than an hour from Dubai International Airport and only 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the resort offers convenient access for both international and regional travelers.
UAE bets on gaming to counter regional competition
In October, Wynn Resorts secured the UAE’s first ever gaming licence, valid for 15 years. Simultaneously, the country created the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, headed by seasoned US industry figures. Former MGM Resorts chief executive Jim Murren serves as chairman, while Kevin Mullally, previously chief legal officer at Gaming Laboratories International, was appointed CEO.
The UAE’s decision to legalise gaming is viewed as part of a broader strategy to maintain its edge against rising Gulf competitors, particularly Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia drew a record 30 million international tourists in 2024 and is working to attract even more by easing visa rules and adopting a more relaxed social climate. The UAE, by contrast, is focused on safeguarding its role as the region’s hub for trade, tourism and finance.
Complementing the integrated resort, Ras Al Khaimah will also see the launch of RAKS Central, a 3.1 million-square-metre mixed-use residential community slated to open in 2027.
“The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has set a goal of welcoming over 3.5 million visitors by 2030,” Abdulla Al Abdouli told the Khaleej Times. “To reach that target, we will need more hotel rooms and stronger real estate investment, including in hotels and apartments.”
Gaming profits in UAE projected to top the Strip’s haul
In a March interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings described Al Marjan as “the best development project in the industry.”
He noted that analysts expect the resort to generate between $5 billion and $8 billion in annual gaming revenue. “For comparison, the Las Vegas Strip brings in just over $6 billion,” Billings said, emphasizing the scale of the opportunity.
Wynn’s 2025 purchase of Crown London, an elite casino in the upscale Mayfair district, is also part of the company’s strategy. Billings said the acquisition, modest in size financially, was strategically important because it provides access to a database of wealthy UK gamblers who may be drawn to the UAE property.
The Arabian Post reported that Wynn has already set aside land in Ras Al Khaimah for a possible second integrated resort, reflecting its long-term commitment to expanding its presence in the UAE’s gaming and hospitality sector.
Other major operators are also eyeing the market. MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed last fall that his company is planning a resort in Abu Dhabi, with a gaming licence application currently under review.
