Wynn Resorts recently provided an update on the construction progress of its Al Marjan Island casino resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The resort, located in Ras Al Khaimah, is currently 55% complete based on structural concrete. Construction crews have completed concrete up to the 26th floor, with walls reaching the 29th floor. The goal is to top off the hotel tower by December 2025, with one floor being completed each week.
The resort will feature 1,542 rooms and suites, with 73% of the total guest rooms already having their tower structure completed. Approximately 820 rooms are currently undergoing fit-out work, including walls, floors, ceilings, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. Elevator and escalator installations have also begun.
With 9,100 construction workers on-site daily and over 100 concrete trucks delivering materials, progress on the Wynn Al Marjan Island is moving quickly. This positive news comes after the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) granted the gaming license for the Wynn venue, marking a significant milestone in the region’s gaming industry.
Analysts believe that the UAE could become a multi-casino market in the future, but for now, Wynn Al Marjan Island will hold a temporary monopoly as the only gaming property in the area. The resort aims to focus on amenities such as a shopping promenade, spa, salon, meetings, events center, and theater, with gaming occupying just 4% of the total square footage.
The UAE’s move towards liberalization in the gaming industry is a significant shift in the Middle East, where wagering has traditionally been restricted. With the potential for the UAE to become the fourth-largest casino market globally, generating up to $5 billion in annual gross gaming revenue from just a few venues, the region is poised for growth.
The strategic location of the UAE, within an eight-hour flight of 96% of the world’s population, positions it as a key player in the global casino industry. Wynn Resorts’ investment in the Al Marjan Island casino resort could usher in a new era of gaming and entertainment in the region, setting the stage for future developments and opportunities in the UAE’s evolving gaming landscape.
