Watch: Construction of first UAE casino, Wynn Al Marjan on track

The house always Wynns…

In 2023 we got the news that the UAE has set up a governmental body to conceive and operate regulations for commercial gaming. And now, it’s been confirmed that Wynn Al Marjan Island, the Ras Al Khaimah hotel from Wynn Resorts, has been awarded the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator’s license. Announced via Reuters by Wynn and confirmed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to Khaleej Times, it’s a significant development in the Wynn Al Marjan megaproject.

Here’s everything we know so far about Wynn Al Marjan Island.

What stage of construction is Wynn Al Marjan Island in?

3 of 12

View from the poolscape at Wynn Al Marjan Island

Hotel arrival at Wynn Al Marjan Island

Main lobby at dusk at Wynn Resort Al Marjan Island

MixCollage-06-May-2024-01-06-PM-3282

Wynn Al Marjan Island construction as of May 1st 2024

Wynn Al Marjan Island copy

In 2027 the completed Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the first casino in the UAE

wynn ras al khaimah 3

A recent video shared by the DP World Tour, saw three of golf’s top stars trying to sink “the World’s Highest Hole in One” from the 22nd floor of the Wynn construction site. The prize if one of them succeeds? One million dirhams. It’s a teaser video so, we don’t know if anyone was able to make the shot (there are some deliciously suggestive celebratory sequences though) and Wynn big. But for our own more megaproject-construction-timeline-flavoured purposes, we are given a glimpse of the outer shell of what looks to be a building well on the way to its projected 2027 completion. It’s probably for the best they’re getting the golf out of the way now, the last thing’s they’ll want to do is put a hole in one… of the windows.

Where in the UAE is Wynn Al Marjan Island?

You’ve probably already made the safe cognitive bet that Wynn Al Marjan Island is destined for Al Marjan Island. But just in case you’re unfamiliar with this neck of the UAE, we’ve got a handy fact file for you. Al Marjan, found at the Ajman/Sharjah end of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), which puts it at about an hour’s drive from Downtown Dubai. Al Marjan Island is actually a network of four separate man-made islands, built with 2.7 million sqm of reclaimed sand.

Interestingly, this will be Wynn Resorts’ first beachfront property.

When can we expect to visit Wynn Al Marjan Island?

First announced in January 2022, Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the brand’s first property the Middle East when it opens in early 2027.

Work is already underway, as detailed in the Wynn Resorts, Limited Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results (published August 9), Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, Limited mentioned: “On the development front, we were excited to begin construction on Wynn Al Marjan Island, which we believe will be a ‘must see’ tourism destination in the UAE.”

Will there be gaming at Wynn Al Marjan Island?

Yes. On October 4, Reuters confirmed that Wynn Resorts had been granted the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator’s licence by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), meaning that the resort will feature a casino. This is the second license given by the GCGRA, although it’s the first for commercial gaming operations. The GCGRA awarded a license for the first authorised lottery in the emirates back in July 2024.

Wynn Resorts CEO, Craig Billings said that the casino component was “shaping up to be somewhat larger than Wynn Las Vegas, during an earnings call in September 2022.

Who are the key players in the leadership team

On September 10, 2024 Tom Roelens, former managing director of Atlantis Dubai, was confirmed to be the project’s COO. He joins President, Max Tappeiner and EVP David Patent.

How big will Wynn Al Marjan Island be?

Massive. We know its tower will peak at an impressive 300 metres above the sea, that’s a whopping size for an island build. To give you a sense of scale, the tallest building on Palm Jumeirah, Palm Tower, is 240 metres high – and its views are absolutely mesmeric.

Within that towering leisure monolith, we can look forward to a vacationing space with 1,542 rooms and suites, along with 22 private villas.

How much will it cost to build?

Estimates put the cost of the project at USD3.9 billion (Dhs14.32 billion).

What sort of entertainment can we expect at Wynn Al Marjan Island?

Aside from the gaming aspect, entertainment will come in the form of a theatre hosting unique productions (come on over Britney), and daily light and laser shows; brand-standard indulgent spa and wellness experiences; as well as a five-star spa and luxury-brand shopping opportunities.

What dining experiences await at Wynn Al Marjan Island?

We have no details on which specific food and beverage partners will be joining the resort just yet, but – projected specification suggest a portfolio of “22 dining and lounge experiences”.

And the culinary dimension is a large part of Wynn’s identity as a hospitality icon, the Las Vegas resort has a world renowned breakfast buffet, 10 individual fine dining restaurants including Cipriani, Sinatra, Mizumi, Wing Lei, SW Steakhouse and Sarah Thompson’s Casa Playa. Some of which you can also find in the Macau Wynn location too.

So it isn’t a huge stretch to think we might get a Mizumi or Wing Lei RAK. These details are of course all still to be confirmed. Roll on 2027.

Images: Wynn Resorts