Wynn UAE Casino Could Be Companys Biggest Profit Driver

Marjan Island is a development of four reclaimed islands with more than 7.8km of pristine beaches and 23km of waterfront, in addition to world-class hotels and residential developments. "We are underway with the construction of our resort in Ras Al Khaimah and look forward to being a key partner in the development of its tourism economy." "Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the licence grant signifies and is proud to be the recipient of the first commercial gaming facility licence in the UAE. The hotel developer and operator said the gaming licence issued by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority related to its property in Ras Al Khaimah. The midpoint of that range exceeds the roughly $140 million Wynn collected in 2024 intellectual property payments from its Macau arm. Wynn estimates the UAE casino hotel could contribute $265 million to $460 million in yearly earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and fees, though some on Wall Street view that forecast as restrained.

THE WYNN EXPERIENCE

• The development, led by Wynn Resorts in partnership with Marjan, has reached its highest structural concrete point at 283 metres across 70 floors, just 27 months after foundation works began.
• Attendees poured the final concrete and received commemorative steel bars taken from the structure.
• The state-of-the-art events facility, an exclusive spa, and an extensive array of 24 dining and lounge venues, promise a lavish stay for the guests.
• In parallel, Wynn Resorts and Marjan are advancing a second joint venture on Al Marjan Island, Janu Al Marjan Island, which was announced in November 2025 and is now under construction.

This venture marks the iconic Wynn Resorts’ maiden foray into the Middle East, with the establishment poised to be a beachfront marvel rising 305 meters above the tranquil Arabian Gulf waters. In July, regulators in the UAE were awarded a licence for the country’s first authorised lottery. It will be operated by The Game LLC under the banner UAE Lottery and it is expected to offer a diverse range of games. The resort, which will have views of the Arabian Gulf, is a hotel and casino with 1,500 rooms, suites and villas, as well as two dozen restaurants, a spa, an event centre and a theatre.

With a multi-billion dollar investment of USD 3.9 billion, the integrated resort is a haven for guests seeking a blend of relaxation, entertainment, and luxury shopping. The state-of-the-art events facility, an exclusive spa, and an extensive array of 24 dining and lounge venues, promise a lavish stay for the guests. Kevin Mullally, chief executive of the GCGRA, said at the time that the authority’s regulatory framework was designed to ensure the integrity, fairness and transparency of commercial gaming activities in the country “which include lottery games”. Some analysts believe that with contributions from other integrated resorts in the future, the UAE could be a $3 billion to $5 billion market in terms of annual gross gaming revenue (GGR).

UAE’s first casino: Ras Al Khaimah targets millions of visitors with $3.8 billion gaming resort

Once the spire is installed in 2026, the tower will reach its full architectural height of 352 metres, making it the tallest man-made structure in Ras Al Khaimah by more than 100 metres.

The resort is located less than 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport and is currently under construction on a picturesque island totaling more than 60 hectares that gracefully curve into the beautiful Arabian Gulf. A significant highlight of the resort is the UAE’s inaugural casino, as confirmed by Wynn Resorts CEO, Craig Billings, in September 2022. The casino resort is envisaged to surpass the scale of Wynn Las Vegas, holding promise for avid gamers. Besides the casino, guests can immerse themselves in a world of entertainment with a theater for unique productions and daily light and laser shows.

In parallel, Wynn Resorts and Marjan are advancing a second joint venture on Al Marjan Island, Janu Al Marjan Island, which was announced in November 2025 and is now under construction. The project will bring Aman Group’s Janu brand to Ras Al Khaimah, with an opening planned for late 2028. Provide your email and indicate your key interests to receive tailored news and exclusive offers prior to the debut of Wynn Al Marjan Island.

Wynn Al Marjan Island will also be a passive profit generator of sorts for the parent company. All 1,530 guest accommodations have reached structural completion with interior fit-outs underway across 1,504 rooms and suites. Facade installation on the main tower is 79 per cent complete while surrounding low-rise buildings have reached 99 per cent structural completion. The development, led by Wynn Resorts in partnership with Marjan, has reached its highest structural concrete point at 283 metres across 70 floors, just 27 months after foundation works began. A multibillion-dollar mega resort in Ras Al Khaimah planned by a major US hotel operator aims to be a magnet for "ultra high net-worth" customers and attract tourists from across the globe after securing a gaming licence from UAE authorities. The regulator’s first two licences come months after some operators of the UAE’s prize draws were required in January to pause business.

Attendees poured the final concrete and received commemorative steel bars taken from the structure. Additional facilities will include Coral Court, a dedicated celebrations and events venue, and The Showroom, a purpose-built theatre space. More information about how to play is expected soon with representatives from the GCGRA stating it was a “pivotal” step for the country. The $3.8 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah will seek to "capture untapped Here domestic gaming demand" from the UAE’s large expatriate community as well as draw in "high-end gaming clientele from abroad", the report states. Leveraging the Wynn brand and logos may go overlooked by some in the broader UAE thesis, but it could prove to be an important driver of equity performance as the venue matures. Set across more than 60 hectares, Wynn Al Marjan Island will feature 1,217 resort rooms, 297 Enclave suites, two Royal Apartments, four Garden Townhomes and 10 Marina Estates.

It was underlined that engaging in, conducting, or enabling commercial gaming activities within the UAE without approval from the GCGRA is illegal and anyone breaking the rules could face severe penalties. The resort will include 22 restaurants, lounges and bars, a beach club, a spa and beauty destination, a retail parterre, 12 pools, a 420 metre white sand beach and a deep water marina capable of accommodating superyachts. Scheduled to open Spring 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been created as an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax.

An award-winning in-house team of designers, architects, and creatives oversees every detail in a new Wynn resort, and that dedication to exceptional quality and singular vision extends to Wynn Al Marjan Island. Our beautifully appointed accommodations are matched by a curated selection of highly desired amenities and an exceptional level of personalized service, all to create moments that are unparalleled and unforgettable. As the construction activities gain momentum, the resort’s emergence is keenly observed by many, considering Marjan Island already hosts a plethora of resorts from notable brands like Movenpick, Radisson, Hilton, and Rixos. The upcoming years also hold promise with the inauguration of a budget-friendly Rove hotel in 2024, and the arrival of the luxury brand Nobu Hotels, enhancing the island’s hospitality landscape further.

“Commercial gaming” refers to “any game of chance, or combination of chance and skill, where an amount of money, in cash or cash equivalents, is wagered – placed as betting app in uae a bet – for the purpose of winning a sum of money or other valuable items”. One of the operators at the time said the pause was the result of an “industrywide mandate” that was consistent with the new role to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the country. Wynn owns 40% of the UAE project and thus isn’t responsible for the entirety of the $5.1 billion cost of construction.

These include lottery, internet gaming, sports wagering and land-based integrated gaming centres or resorts. Wynn Al Marjan Island has announced a major construction milestone, achieving structural completion for what is set to become the Middle East’s first fully integrated resort. Wynn, best known for its casino hotel resorts in Las Vegas, Boston and Macau, expect the project will create at least 4,000 jobs and become the next “catalyst” for tourism in the emirate. The economic benefits will be “massive”, stimulating foreign direct investment and employment, Raki Phillips, chief executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, previously told The National.

The planned resort is an epitome of luxury with an array of 1,500 meticulously designed rooms, suites, and villas. The tranquil and aesthetic ambiance of the resort is intricately intertwined with the oceanic backdrop, ensuring a serene and chic interior decor. In a grand reveal, the design for Wynn Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah’s upcoming luxury resort and casino, has been showcased, marking a significant stride towards its much-anticipated opening in early 2027.