This license signals a new era for gaming and entertainment in the region, with the forthcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island set to be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North African region (MENA).
Wynn Al Marjan Island: A Major Upcoming Development
At present, the construction of the company’s latest project: Wynn Al Marjan Island, has already begun, with an anticipated opening in the beginning of 2027. This billion plus investment resort is being constructed on a large island measuring about 62 hectares out into the Arabian Gulf. It is expected to revolutionize the tourism and entertainment segment in the region by drawing foreign tourists to Ras Al Khaimah emirate.
Details on the License
The GCGRA did not elaborate more on the license, however, Wynn Resorts issued a statement asserting that the ‘commercial gaming facility operator license’ has been issued to the company responsible for developing Wynn Al Marjan Island which is a joint venture of Wynn Resorts, Al Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.
The GCGRA, in its resolution, provides a broad meaning to the term, ‘commercial gaming’ as any game played for money or money’s worth where there is an element of chance or a combination of chance and skill. It should be noted that gaming operators licensed by the GCGRA are mainly land based gaming establishments.
Rigorous Review and Strategic Partnership
The careful consideration by the GCGRA of all the relevant facts and information that warranted the granting of the said license was extended in this case. The company Wynn Resorts expressed its appreciation in a statement noting the authority’s confidence in them. “Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the license grant signifies and is proud to be the first recipient of a commercial gaming facility in the UAE. We are underway with the construction of our resort in Ras Al Khaimah and aim to be a significant player in the growth of its tourism economy.”
First Gaming License in the UAE
The gaming license that has been granted to Wynn Resorts is the second of such type coming from GCGRA. In July, the authority issued the first ever legal lottery license in this country to an Abu Dhabi company called The Game LLC. The GCGRA is an autonomous executive authority established within the UAE federal government, and it is charged with regulation, licensing and control over all the commercial gaming operations and establishments in the UAE.
Wynn Al Marjan Island: More Than Just Gaming
Despite the excitement around the Wynn Al Marjan Island’s gaming facilities, there will be an array of non-gaming facilities as well. The resort will contain 1,542 rooms and suites along with 22 private villa estates making it the first Wynn Resort built close to the beach. Such will set it apart from the company’s Las Vegas, Macau, and Boston Harbor properties.
The development of the resort commenced in the beginning of 2023, with a construction of a 300-meter high tower within completion expected in the 4th quarter of 2025. The project is anticipated to promote the tourism sector tremendously and enhance the economy of Ras Al Khaimah .
