In the United Arab Emirates, gambling is a coveted activity, even though Muslim culture prohibits it. In the UAE, investors are trying to introduce this type of entertainment with developments of this style that have yet to see the light of day. However, there is one unique project that Forbes magazine has highlighted as the pioneer in this sector.
This is Wynn Resorts, the first casino resort in the United Arab Emirates, set to open in 2027 on an artificial island in the little-known Ras Al Khaimah. This development will set a precedent in the region, as it recently secured the first license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) as a commercial gaming operator in the UAE.
What the first casino resort in the UAE will be like
The Wynn Resorts casino resort has set a precedent for the introduction of betting and lotteries in the region. The Authority has also authorized the first national lottery and is preparing to launch a regulated iGaming market, including sports betting and other forms of gambling. This «integrated» project represents a $3.9 billion investment, creating a luxury “integrated resort” worth $3.9 billion on an artificial barrier island in the emirate.
The building will feature 1,500 high-end rooms and suites, as well as private villas. The initial design includes 24 restaurants and lounges, a spa, a beach club, a 3.6-hectare pool area, a luxury shopping promenade, multiple entertainment and performance venues, and the aforementioned gaming and betting rooms, which were designed before the GCGRA authorized their implementation.
The first casino in the UAE in an unknown destination
The fact that a project of this scale is not being developed in cities like Abu Dhabi or Dubai is also a point of analysis. The site chosen by the developer for Wynn Resorts, also known as RAK (Ras Al Khaimah), borders Oman to the north and east and the emirate of Umm Al Quwain to the south. Its economy is primarily driven by RAK Ceramics, a company that produces 123 million square meters of tiles and sanitary ware.
Ultimately, this mysterious city has become the focal point of this ambitious project precisely because of its lack of competition in the entertainment and tourism industries. This project marks the first of its kind in the emirate and a true challenge to determine if it can succeed in the East. The 55-minute drive from Dubai is part of this experimental effort, with the aim of establishing itself permanently in the region.
The progress of the most luxurious hotel in the UAE and its outlook
The developers behind the project see Wynn Resorts as a major success that will become one of the UAE’s top attractions in the coming years. For now, the hotel has only 24 floors, but once completed, it will be the tallest building in RAK.
Once finished, the hotel tower will stand 300 meters tall and will be the nineteenth tallest in the UAE, approximately one-third the height of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower. Meanwhile, project leaders estimate that the gaming market will require a revenue range of $3 billion to $5 billion, with Wynn poised to establish itself as the region’s pioneer.
