Wynn Resorts Secures UAE's First Commercial Gaming License
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Wynn Resorts has officially received the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator license, marking a major development in the country's gaming industry. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) confirmed the announcement over the weekend, signaling a significant step forward for the operator's plans in the region.
First Integrated Gaming Resort in MENA
Wynn Resorts, based in Las Vegas, is currently developing Wynn Al Marjan Island, the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Located in Ras Al Khaimah, the project is being built on a 62-hectare island extending into the Arabian Gulf. The multi-billion-dollar resort is scheduled to open in early 2027.
The resort will not only focus on gaming but will also offer a range of non-gaming attractions, including 1,542 luxury rooms and suites, and 22 private villas. Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the first beachside Wynn property, complementing its six existing resorts in Las Vegas, Macau, and Boston Harbor.
License Details and Project Timeline
The license, described as a “commercial gaming facility operator license,” was issued to the entity developing the resort—a joint venture between Wynn Resorts, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding. The GCGRA defines "commercial gaming" as any game that involves a combination of chance and skill, with bets placed for the chance to win money or other valuable prizes.
Construction on the resort began in early 2023, with the resort’s 300-meter-tall tower expected to be completed by late 2025.
UAE’s Evolving Gaming Industry
This is the second gaming-related license granted by the GCGRA, which oversees and regulates all commercial gaming activities in the UAE. The first license was awarded in July to Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC to operate the country’s first authorized lottery.