Wynn Resorts has revealed that its highly anticipated property, Wynn Al Marjan Island, will feature a 225,000 square foot gaming area, comprising around four percent of the property’s total gross floor area. This information was shared during an investor presentation by the developer.
Earlier this month, the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) confirmed to Khaleej Times that Wynn Resorts was granted the country’s first commercial gaming operator’s licence. The licence, listed as a ‘land-based gaming facility licence,’ is valid for 15 years and is renewable. Additionally, the UAE has set a cap of one land-based gaming licence per emirate.
Wynn also indicated that other integrated resorts might follow, with two additional gaming resort operators expected in the UAE. Last month, MGM Resorts International, another major US-based operator, announced its application for a licence to operate in Abu Dhabi.
The Wynn Al Marjan Island resort is anticipated to bring substantial long-term economic benefits to Ras Al Khaimah, including the creation of 7,500 jobs once operational, and a boost to the region’s leisure, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism, and tax revenues.
A $5.1 Billion Investment
The total cost of the development, adjusted for inflation, is estimated at $5.1 billion, with $4 billion allocated specifically for project-related expenses, excluding land, capitalised interest, and financing fees. Wynn described the investment as the “largest-of-its-kind foreign direct hospitality investment in Ras Al Khaimah.”
According to an overview provided by Wynn, the resort’s gaming facility, hotel, and other key attractions will be centrally located, surrounded by a private beach, marina, conference centre, and retail spaces.
Integrated Resort Development
Wynn’s spokesperson previously noted that while the gaming area will be centrally located within the resort, visitors are not required to enter it and can still enjoy the resort’s many other offerings.
Wynn described the Ras Al Khaimah property as a “full-scale luxury integrated resort development” and the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It is also Wynn’s first beachfront resort, located on island number three of Al Marjan, a man-made group of four islands.
Construction of the project began in early 2023, with the resort’s tower expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. Once finished, it will be the tallest building in Ras Al Khaimah. The interior work is set to continue until early 2027, with the pre-opening scheduled for the first quarter of that year.
Wynn holds a 40 percent equity stake in the joint venture with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. The resort will offer a total of 1,542 rooms, including 297 suites, six townhouses, and 22 luxury villas. Additionally, the property will feature 22 dining outlets, a shopping esplanade, and a meetings and events centre.
