Wynn unveils gaming area size at UAE resort

Bruna Garcia October 18, 2024

Wynn Resorts has revealed the size of the gaming area at its upcoming property in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The Wynn Al Marjan Island will feature a 225,000-square-foot gaming floor, comprising approximately 4% of the property’s total gross floor area. It will be the first gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and it is expected to open in early 2027.

The hotel secured, earlier this month, a renewable 15-year land-based gaming facility license from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The company expects to be one of three competitive integrated resorts operating in the UAE, with MGM Resorts also planning a gaming facility in Abu Dhabi. For now, the UAE will have a maximum of one land-based license per emirate.

Economic and Employment Impact

Wynn’s Al Marjan Island project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Ras Al Khaimah, including increased employment, tourism, and tax revenue. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.1 billion, making it the largest foreign direct hospitality investment in the emirate. It should hire 7,500 employees upon opening.

The gaming facility will be located in the middle of the property, featuring a private beach, marina, conference centre, and retail spaces. Wynn anticipates strong gaming and non-gaming revenue from the property, with visitors able to explore the resort without entering the gaming area.

First of its kind

Wynn’s Al Marjan Island project marks a significant milestone in the development of the gaming industry in the UAE. As the first gaming resort in the region, it is expected to attract both domestic and international visitors and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Wynn Resorts is breaking new ground in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with its Al Marjan Island project. This luxury integrated resort is the first of its kind in the region, combining gaming, hospitality, and leisure amenities in a beachfront setting, built on an island in Al Marjan, in a man-made cluster of four islands.

Construction began in early 2023, and the resort’s tower is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Upon completion, it will be the tallest building in Ras Al Khaimah. Interior work will continue until early 2027, with a pre-opening scheduled for the same year.

The hotel will offer 1,542 rooms and suites, including 297 suites, six townhouses, and 22 villas, as well as 22 dining outlets, shopping esplanade, meetings and events centre.

Subscribe here to SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown and SiGMA’s Weekly Newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest iGaming News, and benefit from Subscriber-Only Offers. 