Wynn Al Marjan Island is a $5.1 billion integrated resort rising in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE — the first legal casino in the Arab world. Construction topped out in December 2025, a modest delay has pushed the opening to Spring 2027, and the gaming floor will be larger than Wynn Las Vegas. Here is everything you need to know.
Wynn Al Marjan Island is under construction in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, targeting a Spring 2027 opening. The 70-story tower topped out in December 2025 at 283 metres. A modest delay was confirmed in May 2026 due to regional supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran conflict — the early-2027 target remains intact. The resort will be the UAE’s first legal casino and Wynn’s first beachfront property in the world. The gaming floor covers 225,000 square feet — larger than Wynn Las Vegas.
The United Arab Emirates was, until 2024, one of the last major global tourist destinations with no legal commercial gaming. Dubai receives over 17 million international visitors annually. Ras Al Khaimah — the emirate where Wynn Al Marjan Island is being built — positioned itself ahead of Dubai as the first mover in UAE casino regulation. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) issued Wynn Resorts the country’s first commercial gaming operator licence on October 4, 2024, in a moment that Wynn CEO Craig Billings called “certainly the most exciting new market for our industry in decades.”
The resort is on a man-made island 50 miles from Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. When it opens in early 2027, it will be the only legal casino in the UAE — and in the entire Arab world.
Project Specifications
Construction Update — June 2026
The Wynn Al Marjan Island tower topped out in December 2025, completing 283 metres of structural concrete across 70 floors — a milestone reached 27 months after foundation works began. The final spire installation is scheduled for later in 2026, which will bring the building to its full height of 352 metres.
As of June 2026, fit-out of guest rooms, restaurants, and the casino floor is running in parallel with structural completion. Over 22,000 workers are currently on site. Wynn is investing between $375 million and $400 million in equity during 2026, with a further $75 million to $100 million planned for 2027. Total life-to-date cash contributions from Wynn reached $914.2 million by end of Q4 2025.
The Wynn Bridge — a 548-metre infrastructure project connecting the resort to the UAE road network — is over 48% complete and on track for completion in late 2026. The bridge links Wynn Al Marjan Island via Wynn Boulevard to the E311 and E611 highways.
What Wynn Al Marjan Island Will Feature
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Casino Floor | 225,000 square feet main floor + additional “sky gaming casino” on 22nd floor. Only licensed commercial casino in the UAE. |
| Hotel Rooms | 1,217 resort rooms · 297 Enclave suites · 2 Royal Apartments · 4 Garden Townhomes · 10 Marina Estates |
| Enclave | Hotel-within-a-hotel concept on upper floors — ultra-premium with bespoke service and Arabian Gulf views |
| Dining | 22 restaurants and lounges including Delilah (imported from Las Vegas) and an Alain Ducasse steakhouse |
| Entertainment | Sea of Dreams — six times larger than the Lake of Dreams show at Wynn Las Vegas |
| Beach & Pools | 420 metres private white-sand beach · 12 swimming pools · deep-water marina |
| Retail | 12,000 sqm luxury retail village — Rolex confirmed as likely tenant |
| Art Collection | Jeff Koons “Tulips,” triceratops skull, works by Marc Quinn and Jaume Plensa |
| Staff Housing | Wynn Oasis — 15-building residential village for 7,000+ employees (80% of total staff) |
UAE Gaming License and Regulation
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) was established specifically to regulate commercial gaming in the UAE. Wynn Resorts received the country’s first commercial gaming operator licence on October 4, 2024 — one of the most significant regulatory milestones in global casino history.
Wynn Resorts will have a monopoly on gaming in the UAE for the first several years. UAE authorities have indicated they have no plans to award additional casino licenses in the immediate future. The only other licenses issued by the GCGRA so far are to The Game to operate the UAE Lottery.
MGM also wants in: MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle revealed at a Skift event that MGM has plans for a resort in Abu Dhabi with a license application pending. If approved, Abu Dhabi would become the second emirate with legal casino gaming — potentially creating the UAE as a multi-casino destination to rival Singapore’s two-resort model.
The Modest Delay Explained
In May 2026, Wynn CEO Craig Billings confirmed a “modest delay” to the opening timeline due to logistical and shipping disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Billings stated: “Deliveries have largely continued and we are re-routing shipments and sourcing alternative materials where needed.”
Construction was briefly paused in early 2026 before resuming with enhanced safety protocols for the 22,000 workers on site. The early-2027 opening window has been adjusted to Spring 2027 rather than Q1 2027, but no formal changes to the opening target have been made on Wynn’s project website or investor communications.
“Certainly the most exciting new market for our industry in decades. I remain incredibly bullish about the future of our company.”
— Craig Billings, CEO, Wynn Resorts, Q3 2024 Earnings CallWhy the UAE Casino Changes the Middle East
The UAE casino market is projected to be worth between $3 billion and $5 billion annually once multiple properties are operational, with Wynn Al Marjan’s individual GGR expected to reach a minimum of $1.33 billion to $1.67 billion per year.
- Tourism diversification — Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah are actively seeking to diversify beyond oil wealth. A casino resort positions the UAE alongside Singapore, Macau, and Las Vegas as a premium gaming tourism destination.
- New Asian visitor flows — Chinese, Indian, Korean, and Japanese high-net-worth travellers who currently visit Macau or Singapore may redirect travel to the UAE, particularly given the UAE’s positioning as a tax-free shopping and entertainment hub.
- Wynn’s global strategy — In early 2025, Wynn acquired Crown London Aspinalls casino in London and rebranded it as Wynn Mayfair in June 2025. The purpose: to bring British and European gamblers to Wynn Al Marjan Island after it opens. This cross-feeder model mirrors how Las Vegas operators route international players through their properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated June 13, 2026. Sources: Khaleej Times, Inside Asian Gaming, Wynn Al Marjan Island official site, and Wynn Resorts investor filings. CasinoBait will update this article as construction milestones and opening dates are confirmed.
