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

With the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort set to open in 2027, this development marks a transformative moment for tourism, investment, and entertainment in the region. GCGRA licenses major gaming tech vendors, laying foundation for regulated casino infrastructure and future online operations across the UAE. Momentum Gaming begins hiring for future online casino and sportsbook operations, anticipating regulatory green light for digital gambling in the UAE. Key construction milestones to date include the completion of the tower’s structural concrete, full structural completion of guest accommodation, near completion of low-rise structures and more than 438,000 cubic metres of concrete poured. This prohibition is not just a cultural norm but a legal mandate that influences the legal framework and judicial practices in many Islamic countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a prominent emirate.

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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. 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. 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. 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.

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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”. The UAE issued vendor licenses to key sports betting and iGaming technology firms, signaling active preparation for future online gambling operations. 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. 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.

The Game (lottery) is also licensed and remains the only other legal gambling activity in the country. 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. Wynn Resorts has announced the development of two gaming areas at its new Ras Al Khaimah resort, including a main casino larger than the one in Las Vegas and a private gaming area on the 22nd floor. Although a third gaming space is considered, Wynn remains the sole license holder for casino operations in the UAE, a position it expects to maintain due to the lengthy development timelines for integrated resorts. The resort will feature over 1,500 rooms, numerous dining options, and various entertainment facilities.

• Wynn Resorts has secured its gaming license and is moving forward with its casino project in Ras Al Khaimah, north of Dubai.
• Wynn Resorts has secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming license for its resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
• The resort will feature over 1,500 rooms, numerous dining options, and various entertainment facilities.
• 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.
• UAE and General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) initiate a suspension of prize draws as part of a regulatory overhaul to establish a framework for national lottery and commercial gaming.

In parallel, Wynn Resorts and Marjan are advancing a second joint venture on Al Marjan Island, Janu Al Marjan Island, which was announced in November 2025 and is now under construction. The project will bring Aman Group’s Janu brand to Ras Al Khaimah, with an opening planned for late 2028. The resort will include 22 restaurants, lounges and bars, a beach club, a spa and beauty destination, a On the website retail parterre, 12 pools, a 420 metre white sand beach and a deep water marina capable of accommodating superyachts.

In July, regulators in the UAE were awarded a licence for the country’s first authorised lottery. It will be operated by The Game LLC under the banner UAE Lottery and it is expected to offer a diverse range of games. A multibillion-dollar mega resort in Ras Al Khaimah planned by a major US hotel operator aims betting app in uae 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. Since the beginning of speculation, we’ve covered news on Dubai’s casinos and the legalization of gambling. 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. 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.

The leading source of hotel industry news for lodging, real estate, and investment professionals. 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. The government will enforce strict controls, such as betting limits, to prevent gambling addiction. Illegal gambling will continue to face heavy penalties, maintaining Dubai’s reputation as a safe, controlled environment. As the UAE enters the world of regulated gaming, Dubai is poised to issue more licenses soon. 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.

Wynn Resorts has confirmed that it has been awarded the UAE’s first commercial gaming license. The luxury resort, which was already planned to include a casino, is expected to open in 2027 and will be the first integrated gaming destination in the Middle East. Wynn Resorts has secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming license for its resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

"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. The hotel developer and operator said the gaming licence issued by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority related to its property in Ras Al Khaimah. Construction has now transitioned from structural works into a full interior build-out. All 1,530 guest accommodations have reached structural completion with interior fit-outs underway across 1,504 rooms and suites.

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). “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. 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. More information about how to play is expected soon with representatives from the GCGRA stating it was a “pivotal” step for the country. 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.

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. Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket, a major UAE prize draw platform, has temporarily halted operations under the mandate of the UAE Gaming Regulatory Authority. This pause prompts reflection for organizers and regulators, amidst regulatory adjustments and operational reviews. 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.

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. The first approved option is Play971, currently the only fully licensed online casino and sportsbook in the UAE. UAE and General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) initiate a suspension of prize draws as part of a regulatory overhaul to establish a framework for national lottery and commercial gaming. Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings has projected that the country’s casino market could generate up to US$8 billion annually.