Wynn Resorts Secures UAE's First Commercial Gaming License for Integrated Resort

Wynn Resorts, the renowned hotel and casino operator, has been granted the UAE’s first commercial gaming licence by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The Las Vegas-based company is currently developing Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Set to open in early 2027, the project will be located on a 62-hectare island extending into the Arabian Gulf.

This new resort in Ras Al Khaimah will feature both gaming and non-gaming amenities, with the latter including 1,542 rooms and suites, as well as 22 private villa estates. It will also be the first beachfront property among Wynn’s global locations, which include Las Vegas, Macau, and Boston Harbor.

The GCGRA defines commercial gaming as any game of chance or a combination of chance and skill where money is wagered to win a sum of money or valuable items. Wynn Al Marjan Island’s gaming facilities will operate under strict regulations set by the GCGRA, which has carried out an extensive review of the licence process.

The resort’s construction began in 2023, with the 300-metre-tall resort tower expected to be completed by late 2025. While the gaming component is highly anticipated, Wynn Al Marjan Island will also focus on boosting the UAE’s tourism economy with its luxury offerings.

This is the second licence issued by the GCGRA, following the issuance of a licence for the country’s first authorised lottery to Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC in July.

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