The upcoming Wynn Integrated Resort at Marjan Island is going to happen on schedule, Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli confirmed in an interview for Khaleej Times, a local media outlet.
The chief executive explained that there was still much work to be done but attested to the progress already being made and that all is going according to plan.
With a deadline set for March 2027, Al Abdouli expressed confidence that the timeline will be met, welcoming Wynn’s integrated resorts to the United Arab Emirates, the region’s first, and a big driver of potential revenue.
Wynn Resorts is arriving in time for the 2027 deadline
Al Abdouli is confident that the integrated resort will have a far-reaching economic impact on the United Arab Emirates and Ras Al Khaimah, where the project is based. Commenting for the publication, he said:
"It is one of the biggest projects in the UAE and one of the most anticipated in the region. It will add 1,542 hotel keys and more than 22 F&B lounges and experiences. It will increase the number of visitors to the emirate."
The integrated resort will also create numerous other opportunities for businesses, which will be formed in Ras Al Khaimah as a direct consequence of the project, and become intertwined with the emirate’s economy. A second Wynn Resorts casino is already being discussed, but nothing definitive has been shared yet.
Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts and its local partner RAK Hospitality Holding are plowing $3.9bn into the project’s building, while expecting serious returns. According to Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings, the UAE’s gaming market could hit a value of $5bn, far surpassing the investment now being laid down by the hospitality and gaming company.
However, Wynn Resorts is unlikely to be the only big player in the UAE, as MGM Resorts International is also seeking to gain a license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority to host a casino of its own.
Other bidders looking to enter the emerging gaming market in the UAE
These plans, however, are still in limbo, as the regulator has not mentioned whether it would grant this request just yet. The chances are that the GCGRA will wait until after the first Wynn Resorts casino has opened its doors.
Besides casino operators, however, Yolo Group, an international cryptocurrency gaming giant with forays into the land-based sector, is also looking to secure two B2B vendor licenses from the regulator, as recently confirmed by Tim Heath, the group’s boss.
