Wynn Resorts Gets First Commercial Gaming License From UAE

Set to open to the public in early 2027, the multi-billion dollar project is being built on Wynn Al Marjan Island, which spans 62 hectares extending into the Arabian Gulf.

Wynn Resorts, a prominent hotel and casino operator based in Las Vegas, has made history by being granted the first commercial gaming operator’s license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) confirmed this significant milestone, marking a new era for gaming in the region.

This groundbreaking license is associated with Wynn’s ambitious project, Wynn Al Marjan Island, set to be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The luxury resort is being constructed on an expansive 62-hectare island extending into the Arabian Gulf, with plans for a grand opening in early 2027.

The GCGRA did not provide further specifics about the license but noted that it follows a “diligent and extensive review.” In a statement, Wynn Resorts expressed gratitude to the GCGRA for the confidence this license represents. “Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the license grant signifies and is proud to be the recipient of the first commercial gaming facility license in the UAE,” the company stated. They emphasized their commitment to becoming a key player in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism economy.

Wynn Al Marjan Island will house the UAE’s first casino, an impressive array of 24 dining and lounge options, luxurious spa and wellness facilities, an upscale shopping promenade, a cutting-edge events center, and a theater showcasing exclusive productions. It will house 1,542 rooms and suites, including 22 private villa estates, making it a luxurious destination for visitors.

This will mark the first Wynn Resort to be situated on a beach, standing out among its six properties in Las Vegas, Macau, and Boston Harbor.

Construction of the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort began in early 2023, with a standout feature being its 300-meter-tall resort tower, expected to be topped off in the fourth quarter of 2025. The resort will not only focus on gaming but will also include extensive non-gaming amenities.

The project is a joint venture between Wynn Resorts and local partners, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. This collaboration aims to establish a destination that blends luxury hospitality with world-class gaming.

The GCGRA defines commercial gaming broadly as any game of chance or a combination of chance and skill, where money or cash equivalents are wagered. This includes land-based gaming facilities, among other operators specified by the GCGRA. The recent license awarded to Wynn Resorts marks a significant shift in the UAE’s regulatory landscape, as it moves to embrace commercial gaming.

This decision to allow gambling comes as the UAE grapples with increasing economic competition in the Gulf region, particularly from Saudi Arabia. In response to this competitive pressure, the UAE has introduced several liberal legal reforms aimed at maintaining its status as a leading trade, tourism, and financial hub in the region.

Interestingly, this license is the second to be issued by the GCGRA, which was established as an independent executive entity within the UAE federal government. The authority is tasked with regulating, licensing, and supervising all commercial gaming activities and facilities across the UAE. In July, the GCGRA had already awarded a license to operate the first authorized lottery in the country to Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC.

The announcement of Wynn’s license comes after a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the UAE’s approach to gambling. This shift reflects a broader trend of increased openness in a region traditionally conservative regarding such activities.

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