Ras Al Khaimah is preparing to become the new epicenter of luxury and entertainment in the United Arab Emirates with the scheduled opening in the first quarter of 2027 of the Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort, a project that includes the country’s first legal casino. This historic initiative is radically transforming the economic landscape of the northernmost emirate of the UAE, positioning it as a direct competitor to Dubai in the high-end tourism sector.
The announcement of the Wynn Resorts project has triggered a domino effect in the Marjan Island real estate market, where off-plan transactions have experienced an exponential increase and secondary market prices continue to rise. The magnitude of the complex, with a budget exceeding $5.1 billion—well above the initial estimate of $3.9 billion—reflects investors’ confidence in the transformative potential of this region.
The World’s Largest Casino
The gaming facility will occupy 18,500 square meters, making it the world’s largest casino according to current projections. The facility will be part of an integrated complex that will house more than 1,500 hotel rooms, villas, and suites with views of the Persian Gulf, distributed in a 305-meter-high tower.
In addition to the casino, the resort will feature 24 fine dining restaurants, luxury shops, an exclusive spa, convention facilities, and theaters with unique productions. The Wynn chain, globally recognized for its establishments in Las Vegas and Macau, will develop its first beach resort at this strategic Persian Gulf location. The project has generated such anticipation that Chinese investors have increased their activity in the Emirati real estate market by 130%, with 78% of these transactions being completed in cash.
Marjan Island: The New Palm Jumeirah
Ras Al Khaimah has developed Marjan Island as an artificial archipelago of four coral-shaped islands spanning 2.7 million square meters of reclaimed land. This privileged location offers 7.8 kilometers of pristine coastline with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, located just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport.
The master development of the islands has attracted leading hotel brands such as Intercontinental Hotels Group, Mövenpick, Radisson, Fairmont, and JW Marriott, generating an annual growth rate of 17.5% in hotel supply. Real estate experts consider Marjan Island as “the next Palm Jumeirah” due to its strategic design and its potential to maximize the emirate’s natural coastal resources.
Investment in off-plan properties in this area offers projected returns between 19% and 25%, according to market analyses that highlight the strength of the region’s economic fundamentals. Premier projects such as Mina Al Arab, Al Hamra Village, and the new luxury residences are experiencing a significant increase in their valuation.
Regulation and Tourism Growth
The United Arab Emirates recently established a gaming regulatory body to strengthen investor confidence and allow commercial operations of casinos throughout the country, marking a strategic shift in national policy. This government measure complements the vision of attracting 5 million tourists to Ras Al Khaimah by 2030, positioning the emirate as a world-class investment and entertainment hub.
The development of the Wynn casino represents much more than a leisure initiative; it constitutes a comprehensive economic strategy to diversify the emirate’s revenue sources beyond oil. The fact that alcohol consumption will be permitted at the complex reinforces expectations that this destination will become “the Las Vegas of the United Arab Emirates”, attracting Russian, Asian, and Middle Eastern tourists.
✓ Ras Al Khaimah was named Gulf Tourism Capital in 2020 and 2021 by the Gulf Cooperation Council
✓ Mount Jebel Jais in the emirate is home to the world’s longest zipline certified by Guinness World Records
✓ Tourism already contributes 13% of UAE GDP, with projections of 40 million hotel guests
✓ Hotel occupancy rate in Marjan Island has exceeded 85% during high season
Real Estate Market Impact
The Wynn phenomenon has catapulted Marjan Island as one of the real estate markets with the highest appreciation in 2025 throughout the entire Persian Gulf region. Iconic projects such as Aston Martin Residences and Beach Vista have transformed the skyline of this strategic bay in a matter of months. The construction of the first casino in the Persian Gulf elevated Marjan’s status from a simple artificial island to a priority investment destination for international capital.
Local real estate developers such as Marjan have implemented strategic master planning that includes coastal, urban, and mountain addresses to enhance the emirate’s competitiveness. The Ras Al Khaimah real estate sector is recording record transactions in spacious residential properties, especially among Asian buyers who show preference for large units near the future entertainment complex. The opening of the casino in 2027 promises to definitively consolidate Ras Al Khaimah as a preferred destination for high-net-worth investors seeking opportunities in the most dynamic emerging market in the Middle East.
