UAE Gets Its First Gambling License
Wynn Resorts, the Las Vegas-based casino operator, has received the first commercial gaming operator’s license in the United Arab Emirates from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
The company is currently developing a luxury resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, marking a significant step in the UAE’s gambling landscape. This project is a joint venture involving affiliates of Wynn Resorts, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding.
The establishment of the federal entity to regulate gambling last month signals a historic shift in the UAE, which had long prohibited gambling in alignment with its conservative values. This regulatory move, alongside the hiring of seasoned professionals from the U.S. gaming industry, has raised questions about the future of gambling in the Gulf region.
These developments come amid increasing economic competition in the region, particularly with Saudi Arabia. To retain its position as a leading hub for trade, tourism, and finance, the UAE has introduced various liberal legal reforms in recent weeks.
