New Land Casinos Planned in UAE

The United Arab Emirates seems ready to open more casinos, a move that will greatly influence the gaming industry in the GCC region and the Middle East. The UAE’s Gaming Regulatory Authority expects the opening of two to four fully integrated resorts within the next five to ten years and believes the country’s gaming market could outpace Singapore’s.

Market Growth

Jim Murren, chairman of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), says the UAE market could surpass that of Singapore. He anticipates the opening of two to four integrated resorts in the next five to ten years, excluding Ras Al Khaimah, where Wynn Resorts.

The chairman of the (GCGRA) has suggested that more casinos in the United Arab Emirates could be on the horizon. Speaking at the Skift Global Forum East, Jim Murren stated that he expects between two and four integrated resorts to open in the country over the next five to ten years.

“I think the market here in the UAE will be bigger than Singapore,” Murren said, noting that any further casinos would be in emirates other than Ras Al Khaimah, where Las Vegas giant Wynn Resorts is building a $5 billion resort that will be the U.A.E.’s first casino. The project is rising on Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago in the northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah.

One License Per Emirate

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the United Arab Emirates is preparing to introduce regulated online gaming, following a model similar to land-based casinos.

Each emirate will have the authority to issue a maximum of one business-to-consumer (B2C) license per emirate. Analysts predict that only two or three emirates will move forward with online gaming licenses in the near future.

10 $ billion annually

The estimation of the UAE’s gaming industry could contribute up to 1.7 percent of the country’s GDP, generating between $3 billion and $10 billion annually.

Currently, only one land-based license has been awarded to Wynn Resorts for a resort in Ras Al Khaimah, with MGM applying for a license in Abu Dhabi.

The GCGRA has been issuing business-to-business (B2B) vendor licenses, with recent approvals for iGaming platform operator Hub88 Holdings and sports data and analytics firm Sportradar.

Wynn Al Marjan

Wynn Al Marjan Island remains on schedule for completion in early 2027, according to Marjan Properties. The 70-storey beachfront resort will feature over 1,500 rooms, a 21,000-square-metre gaming floor, 22 restaurants and lounges, a marina, and luxury entertainment facilities. It is expected to be a cornerstone of Ras Al Khaimah’s goal to attract 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

MGM’s Dubai

Meanwhile, MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle has expressed surprise at the delay in obtaining a licence for the company’s US$2.5 billion beachfront resort in Dubai, which is set to open in 2028.

“There’s a lot of dialogue around that,” Hornbuckle told a gaming industry conference, “I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing.

The resort is under construction on a 25-acre man-made island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Al Arab. It will feature MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria hotels. A 250,000-square-foot podium has been built to house a casino if approved.

Author

Suhair

محرر المحتوى

Suhair is a seasoned content creator with 20 years of experience, holding a Master's degree in Political Science. With expertise spanning iGaming, marketing, media, and government relations, she brings a unique perspective to online gaming. Suhair's global outlook enriches her writing because she speaks four languages and has lived in five countries. When not crafting compelling content, she enjoys traveling, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and practicing yoga. Her passion for learning and exploration makes her a captivating voice in the Middle East's online gaming scene.

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