Wynn Resorts Secures UAE Gaming License

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 8, 2024

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Wynn Resorts has become the first company to be granted a commercial gaming operator’s license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where gambling is currently banned. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), an entity established last year to regulate and oversee the issuance of commercial gaming licenses in the Gulf state, issued the license.

In a statement posted on the Wynn Resorts website, the company expressed its pride in being the recipient of the UAE’s inaugural commercial gaming license. However, the statement did not explicitly define whether “gaming” refers to traditional gambling activities, such as casino gaming, or other forms of entertainment. No direct mention of casinos was made, leaving room for speculation as to what exactly the gaming operations will entail.

Wynn, which operates casino properties in Las Vegas, Boston, and Macau, is currently developing a resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that form the UAE. The resort, set to feature gaming amenities, will have 1,542 rooms and is scheduled to open in early 2027. This will mark the company’s first major venture into the Middle Eastern market, in a region where gambling has traditionally been prohibited under Islamic law.

Despite the UAE’s long-standing ban on gambling, the country has been making a series of liberalizing reforms aimed at maintaining its competitive edge in the region. These moves come as neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, ramp up efforts to diversify their economies and attract tourism, prompting the UAE to ease certain social restrictions.

For instance, in recent years, the UAE has lifted its ban on unmarried couples living together, loosened restrictions on alcohol consumption, and adopted a 5-day workweek with Saturday and Sunday off in 2022. These reforms, according to experts, are part of the UAE’s strategy to retain its position as a leading global hub for business and tourism.

Still, gambling remains a sensitive issue in the UAE, a country where over 90% of the population is foreign, and Islamic law plays a central role in shaping legal frameworks. UAE authorities have consistently denied rumors that they would lift the Gulf-wide ban on gambling, even as the country pursues other progressive changes to its social policies. The issuance of the gaming license to Wynn may signal a shift in that stance, though the exact nature of the gaming operations has yet to be clarified.

Wynn’s entry into the UAE market comes amid growing regional competition, particularly from Saudi Arabia, which has been aggressively promoting its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues. This includes significant investments in tourism, entertainment, and hospitality sectors—areas where the UAE has traditionally excelled. By introducing gaming activities through Wynn’s luxury resort, the UAE could be positioning itself to attract high-end tourists and retain its status as the region’s premier destination.