Wynn Resorts has confirmed that its Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah will open in September 2027, marking the first licensed casino in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement came during an investor call on 4 August, where CEO Craig Billings said construction is “progressing rapidly” and the project remains on track for an autumn debut next year.
The resort, located on a 60-hectare island about 80 kilometres north of Dubai International Airport, has faced delays linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In May, Billings had flagged a “modest delay” due to “logistical and shipping challenges in the region” following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Those disruptions have now been quantified: the company estimates an additional $600 million in costs, roughly half attributed to the conflict, with the rest stemming from higher material prices and shipping rates.
A landmark for the Gulf's gaming sector
Wynn, which operates casinos in Las Vegas, Boston, and Macau, received the UAE's first commercial gaming operator's licence in October 2024. The move is a significant shift for the federation, where gambling has long been prohibited under Islamic law. The resort is being developed in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates, and is expected to become a major draw for tourists from Europe and beyond.
Billings said the team is “actively progressing through the interior fit-out of the hotel rooms, with mechanical, electrical, and finishing work, all moving along in sequence.” Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the project's timeline, noting that the conflict's impact on supply chains and personnel movement has been managed.
The 1,542-room luxury property will feature a 70-story tower, 22 restaurants, bars, and lounges, a beach club with a private beach, a spa, designer boutiques, event spaces, a kids' club, multiple pools, and a full-service marina. The development is part of a broader push by Ras Al Khaimah to diversify its economy beyond oil and real estate, positioning itself as a hub for high-end tourism and entertainment.
For European travellers, the resort offers a new option in the Gulf, complementing existing luxury destinations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The opening will also be watched closely by industry analysts, as it could signal a wider opening of the UAE's gaming market. Wynn's shares rose 5% in after-hours trading following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism about the project's prospects.
While the casino will be the first of its kind in the UAE, it is not the only major development in the region. Nobu's planned Algarve resort is another example of luxury hospitality expanding across Europe and the Middle East, though it will not include gaming.
The project's cost overruns highlight the broader economic pressures facing large-scale construction in the region, but Wynn remains committed to delivering the resort on schedule. As Billings put it, “We are now actively progressing,” and the company expects to welcome guests in September 2027.
