Wynn’s UAE Resort Moves Forward and Shows How Region
We learned in 2022 that gaming is coming to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2026 courtesy of a new resort from Las Vegas casino developer, Wynn Resorts. Although it’s not yet clear what the gaming area will look like given the current gambling laws in the UAE, we know that the multi-billion-dollar resort will be an all-around entertainment hub.
Indeed, as well as gaming, the new Wynn Resort in Ras al-Khaimah, which is an area we have covered in detail in our Dubai FAQs, will offer stores, dining, lounges, a spa, and a convention center. It will also have 1,000 luxury hotel rooms, making it one of the largest resorts in the region.
The project is still far from completion and there may be a lot of hurdles to overcome before it opens its doors. However, it’s another example of how the UEA is embracing the western culture and, in turn, opening its doors to international travelers.
Gaming is Coming to the UAE
The gaming at Wynn Resort Ras al-Khaimah might not match what’s available to casino customers online. As noted in this YYY Casino review, customers can use this app (and those like it) to play hundreds of slots and table games from developers such as NetEnt and Evolution. These casino games are flanked by promotions, such as deposit bonuses, as well as secure payment options. However, we know that there will be gaming.
When you combine this with the current popularity of online casino gaming around the world, it’s conceivable that Wynn Resort Ras al-Khaimah will offer something similar to its online counterparts. Of course, we also can’t forget the ties between the UAE and another activity popular with betting fans: horse racing. Although the rules are slightly different here than in regions such as Europe and North America, the UAE and, in particular, Dubai, has become a hotbed of horse racing activity.
The Dubai World Cup is, of course, the obvious example of the region’s ties to racing. The annual race takes place in March and has one of the sport’s largest purses. In 2023, the total prize money for the Dubai World Cup was $12 million and the winner, Ushba Tesoro (ridden by Yuga Kawada and trained by Noboru Takagi) won $7.2 million. The now internationally famous race isn’t the only reason racing is big in the UAE. The Maktoum family has an incredible pedigree within the sport thanks to its private stable.
Godolphin Racing, as it’s known, has a reputation for excellence with many of the world’s best horses coming from its network of stables. Even a cursory look through Godolphin’s hall of fame throws up names such as Fantastic Light and Dubai Millennium. The point of all of this is that the UAE already has connections to parts of the gambling industry. Moreover, thanks to recent innovations aimed at attracting western travelers, such as high-profile boxing events in Jeddah, the announcement by Casino giant Wynn isn’t as surprising as it first seemed.
Exciting Times for the UAE
Yes, the project is yet to break ground and there could be a lot of hurdles for the developers to overcome. However, when you look at how the UAE is developing in terms of its infrastructure and entertainment culture, casino companies such as Wynn have a foundation to build on. The market certainly won’t be like it is in North America or Europe, but that could change over time.
Similar changes have taken place in countries across Asia in recent years, with casino resorts becoming part of the local entertainment scene after being absent for decades. The UAE has been evolving for more than a decade and now we’re seeing more parts of western culture integrated alongside local traditions.
Wynn shocked the world in 2022 when it announced plans to open a resort in Ras al-Khaimah. However, those with a closer eye on the market knew it was anything but a surprise. More people are now beginning to understand that opening a new gaming resort in the UAE wasn’t such a fanciful idea. We learned in March 2023 that ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC (ALEC) has been awarded the contract to build Wynn Resorts Ras al-Khaimah. We also know it could be bigger than Wynn’s resort in Las Vegas.
The UAE is changing and the Wynn Resorts project is an example of just how much it’s changing.
