Reporting from Wynn Al Marjan as UAE rewrites the rules
The SiGMA team reported live on location from Al Marjan Island earlier this week, now at the centre of global media attention. How will this bold transformation in the Emirates unfold, and what will it mean for the UAE’s traditional culture? This is more than just an ambitious project, it signals the start of a new era for the entire MENA region.
A decade ago, this artificial archipelago of Al Marjan island in Ras Al Khaimah was primarily known for its fishing industry and pearl trade, remnants of a time before oil wealth reshaped the Gulf. Today, it is home to one of the most controversial developments in the region’s history: Wynn Al Marjan Island, a multibillion-dollar integrated resort set to house the UAE’s first casino. One must also remember that Ras Al Khaimah is also the closest point in the Emirates to the Strait of Hormuz and serves as the gateway to Iran.
The Wynn construction site itself was as expected – an expanse of scaffolding, cranes, and heavy machinery. Security guards were on high alert, blocking any of our attempts to film or photograph, a clear indication that despite its global branding, Wynn’s entry into the Middle East remains a highly sensitive topic. For now, the site looks like any other luxury hotel in the making. What sets it apart is not its design or opulence but its licensing- a dramatic shift in a country where, during Ramadan, even drinking water in public is still restricted and where many women continue to wear the abaya. The UAE is slowly but deliberately transforming its identity.
To get to Ras Al Khaimah, we drove through the UAE’s arid beauty, its deserts, natural vegetation and wildlife. Having called this country home for many years at the beginning of its transformation, I’m reminded of the nation’s remarkable journey which has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in 2023 was the clearest signal yet that the Emirates was moving to regulate rather than prohibit gaming. At the helm of the GCGRA are industry heavyweights – former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren and ex-Macau regulator Kevin Mullally. The authority is structured to create an environment where gambling can be tightly controlled, taxed, and integrated into the broader economic vision of diversification away from oil.
The UAE has yet to reveal a full-fledged legal framework for gaming, but the decision to award Wynn Resorts the country’s first commercial gaming licence in October 2024 speaks volumes. This raises fundamental questions: is this a calculated economic move, or is it a gamble on the country’s cultural identity?
What is at stake?
The success of Wynn Al Marjan Island could trigger a wave of further developments, unlocking billions in investment. Yet, there are critical questions about whether this aligns with the UAE’s long-term vision and cultural identity.
Despite its economic ambitions, the UAE remains deeply conscious of its heritage. Gambling has long been viewed as “haram” in Islam, and even with regulatory oversight, public acceptance remains uncertain. The country has carefully managed its liberalisation policies, whether regarding alcohol consumption, cohabitation laws, or business-friendly reforms, through gradualism rather than abrupt change. But gambling introduces a different dynamic. Unlike tourism or business regulations, which primarily affect expatriates, the introduction of casinos has the potential to impact Emirati society at its core. Will Emiratis be permitted to gamble? Will strict measures be put in place to prevent problem gambling among locals? The GCGRA’s yet-to-be-released regulations will need to address these concerns with surgical precision.
Middle East’s new gaming hub
If the UAE successfully integrates casinos into its economy without social backlash, it could set a precedent for the wider Middle East. Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aggressive modernisation drive, has already signalled its openness to entertainment-focused investments. NEOM, the $500 billion megacity rising on the Red Sea, has been rumoured to be considering gaming as part of its offering. Bahrain, historically more liberal than its Gulf neighbours, may see an opportunity to attract investment in the sector.
The UAE is not just testing the waters for itself; it is charting a course that will reshape the economic landscape of the entire MENA region.
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