Wynn Resorts, a well-known hotel and casino company, has been granted the UAE’s first licence to operate a commercial gaming business. The licence was issued by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), allowing Wynn to move forward with its plans for Wynn Al Marjan Island. This will be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa region. The resort will be located on a 62-hectare island in Ras Al Khaimah and is expected to open in early 2027.
The project is a multi-billion dollar investment and will offer a wide range of luxury features. It will include 1,542 rooms and suites, along with 22 private villa estates. The resort will also have a 300-metre-tall tower, which will be one of its most striking features. In addition to the gaming facilities, Wynn Al Marjan Island will offer various non-gaming amenities, making it a key part of the UAE’s growing tourism sector.
Wynn Resorts thanked the GCGRA for granting the licence, emphasizing their dedication to contributing to the development of Ras Al Khaimah as a tourist destination. This licence is a significant step for the UAE, following the GCGRA’s earlier decision to grant a licence to The Game LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based company, to operate the country’s first official lottery.
Construction of the resort began in 2023, with plans to finish building the resort’s tower by the end of 2025. This development is seen as a major milestone in the UAE’s tourism and entertainment industry, offering both gaming and non-gaming experiences to visitors from around the world.
