Construction of MGM The Island Resort in Dubai will not include a casino.
In the vibrant landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the world of entertainment is set for an exciting transformation with the entry of prominent global hospitality giants.
MGM Resorts, renowned for its iconic casinos and resorts, is planning a significant move into the UAE. The company is eyeing a land-based casino in Abu Dhabi, taking advantage of the UAE's recent legalisation of regulated gambling in September 2023 [3]. However, the exact location within Abu Dhabi remains undisclosed.
Simultaneously, MGM is involved in a large resort project in Dubai called "The Island by Wasl." This project, which includes hotels branded as MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Aria, is currently casino-free, as the project has yet to receive regulatory approval for such facilities [1][4].
In a contrasting development, Wynn Resorts is set to open the first casino resort in the UAE. The resort, located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, is scheduled to open in early 2027 [1][3]. This ambitious project is estimated to cost around 2 billion USD (1.85 billion EUR) [5].
Meanwhile, 'The Island,' a complex consisting of three hotels in Dubai, will not include a casino area. The planned mega-resort will feature an MGM hotel and a Bellagio hotel, offering a total of 1,400 rooms [2].
Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts, has hinted at the possibility of a project on Yas Island, stating that the potential still exists [4]. It appears MGM Resorts may be focusing on a new casino project in Abu Dhabi, distinct from its Dubai hotel-only resort project.
The gambling authority in Dubai, the GCGRA, and the first official gambling authority in the UAE, established in September 2023, will oversee the regulation of these projects [3]. No specific submission for MGM's new casino project in Abu Dhabi has been announced yet.
As the UAE continues to evolve its entertainment offerings, the entry of these global hospitality giants promises to bring a new dimension to the region. With the first casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah set to open in 2027, the future of gambling in the UAE is poised for an exciting chapter.
Sources: 1. MGM Resorts and Wasl Asset Management Group Partner on $1.4 Billion Dubai Mega-Resort 2. MGM Resorts to Operate Three Hotels on The Island in Dubai 3. MGM Resorts to Build Casino in Abu Dhabi 4. Bill Hornbuckle Discusses MGM's Future Plans in the UAE 5. JP Morgan Estimates Wynn Resorts' Ras Al Khaimah Casino Resort Cost at $1.85 Billion
- The casino-culture, long associated with cities like Las Vegas, is set to make its mark in the UAE, as global hospitality giants such as MGM Resorts plan to bring casino-games to the region.
- Casino-personalities across the world will keenly monitor the gambling-trends in the UAE, as they observe the entry of these global hospitality giants like MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts into the market.
- Onlinecasinos Germany and other international online casino platforms could potentially benefit from the increased interest in casino-and-gambling in the UAE, as the region embraces a new era of entertainment.
- While the UAE is gearing up for the arrival of these new casinos, it's crucial to promote responsible-gambling practices and ensure a safe environment for all patrons, as casino-culture finds its place in this vibrant Middle Eastern landscape.
