Wynn Resorts Provides Update on Wynn Al Marjan Island Integrated Resort in UAE
Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) recently provided an update on its highly anticipated Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company announced that the 300-meter-tall resort tower could be topped off in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the construction process.
Construction of the property, which is expected to include the first casino in the Middle East, began last year and is progressing steadily. The casino hotel is scheduled to open in early 2027, offering guests a luxurious and immersive gaming experience. The project is being developed in collaboration with local partners Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holding LLC, with Wynn Design and Development overseeing the creative and design elements of the project.
The resort will feature 1,542 rooms and well-appointed suites, including 22 opulent and private Villa Estates situated on the newly designed marina adjacent to the resort. Additionally, there will be an extensive poolscape adjacent to the beach, complete with multiple swimming and wading pools, water features, private cabanas, and tropical landscaping covering 3.6 hectares.
Despite the project’s estimated $4 billion cost, Wynn is a minority investor in the plan and is not obligated to cover all of the expenditures. The company is eagerly awaiting approval from UAE authorities to proceed with the casino gaming aspect of the resort, as the country has yet to officially approve such activities.
Last September, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) was established as the UAE’s first gaming regulator, with hopes of unveiling casino gaming guidelines in 2024. Wynn is aware of the cultural sensitivities surrounding gambling in the Arab world and is focusing on non-gaming amenities as the foundation of its UAE resort, with the casino accounting for only 4% of the property’s total space.
In addition to the casino, the resort will include a 15,000-square-meter shopping esplanade, a five-star spa, a salon, a meetings and events center, and ample outdoor event terraces and lawns. These amenities are designed to cater to a diverse range of guests and events, positioning the resort as a premier destination for luxury and entertainment in the region.
Wynn sees significant growth opportunities in the UAE, particularly in Ras Al Khaimah, which is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the MENA region. The strategic location of Al Marjan Island, with its pristine beaches and waterfront, makes it an attractive destination for travelers from around the world.
With the completion of the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort on the horizon, Wynn Resorts is poised to make a significant impact on the hospitality and gaming industry in the UAE, offering guests a world-class experience unlike any other in the region.