A Landmark Development for the UAE

• The luxury resort is coming to Ras Al Khaimah with a 20,900-square-metre gaming area.
• Licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
• Aimed at international visitors looking for high-end entertainment and hospitality.

UAE Gets the Vegas Experience 

It’s been only a few years since the UAE took steps to regulate the casino market. Thanks to these efforts, the region is on track for its first casino resort. What makes this particularly significant is the regulatory backing. It received its gaming licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in October 2024, a first in the region. 

This independent federal entity was established specifically to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities in the UAE. Headed by industry veteran Jim Murren, former MGM Resorts CEO, it has been instrumental in developing the UAE’s gaming scene. 

The Wynn Al Marjan Island casino is being positioned as a destination for tourists and expats. It acknowledges cultural sensitivities whilst opening doors to substantial economic opportunities. As a landmark development, it’s easily among the best in the industry, according to CNBC’s Jim Cramer. Analysts think that the market’s gaming revenue could hit around $3 to $5 billion, matching the Vegas strip. 

Progress as Scheduled 

Construction is progressing rapidly, and the developers expect to be on schedule. The latest update indicates that the hotel tower is nearing completion. The Wynn Resorts CEO mentioned, “We’re pouring [concrete for] the final two floors now and are on track to top out the tower ahead of our analyst event in December.” The promising news further suggests that analysts could be getting site invites for the development in December 2025.

A Vital Tourism Boost

The UAE has been making strategic moves to maintain its position as the region’s tourism and business hub, especially with Saudi Arabia ramping up competition. Wynn Al Marjan Island fits perfectly into that strategy. The resort is conveniently located less than an hour from Dubai International Airport and just 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

For Bahraini players looking to venture beyond online casinos, Wynn Al Marjan Island will be a convenient option. You won’t need long-haul flights for a brick-and-mortar casino experience anymore. The proximity changes things quite a bit, and industry experts predict there’ll be strong interest from neighbouring countries, including Bahrain, once the resort opens.

Looking Ahead

For Bahraini gaming enthusiasts, the first casino in the UAE represents something worth paying attention to. The countdown to March 2027 is on, and it feels like the UAE is about to enter quite a different chapter in its entertainment story.