In a sign of immense confidence in the future of the Middle Eastern gaming market, Wynn Resorts is reportedly already making plans for a second casino
In a sign of immense confidence in the future of the Middle Eastern gaming market, Wynn Resorts is reportedly already making plans for a second casino development in the United Arab Emirates. According to a report by Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI), the US-based luxury operator has set aside space for another major project in the region.
This move is particularly remarkable given that the company’s first property, the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island, is still under construction and isn’t scheduled to open its doors until early 2027. The news suggests that Wynn is moving aggressively to solidify a long-term, dominant position in what it expects to be a highly lucrative new market.
Wynn’s confidence is underpinned by its powerful first-mover advantage. The Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah will be the UAE’s first-ever regulated casino, effectively granting the company a monopoly in a wealthy, high-traffic region that is a hub for international tourism and business.
CEO Craig Billings has previously described the project as a future “‘must see’ tourism destination” that he is confident will generate “strong long-term free cash flow.” This early market dominance is a key reason why major investment banks like UBS have recently upgraded their outlook on the company’s stock.
The scale of Wynn’s ambition may extend far beyond the borders of the UAE. Legal experts have pointed to a potentially game-changing clause within the UAE’s new federal gaming law. Speaking at a recent industry event, Joseph Borg, a Partner at WH Partners, highlighted that the legislation already “caters for passporting of the license across GCC countries.”
This means that, in theory, a licence granted in the UAE could one day be used as a basis to operate in other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. “ Although it means nothing today, it already sheds some light on what the plans are for the future,” Borg noted.
Wynn’s strategy is now coming into sharper focus. Its massive investment in the UAE isn’t just about a single resort; it’s a long-term, strategic play to establish the primary foothold in the entire Middle East. By being the first to build a world-class, compliant integrated resort, Wynn is positioning itself to be the operator of choice for the whole region if, and when, other Gulf nations decide to follow the UAE’s lead. The reported plans for a second resort are the clearest signal yet of the scale of that ambition.
