Wynn Resorts announced on Friday that it has been granted the first commercial gaming operator’s license in the UAE by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
The Las Vegas-based casino company is developing a luxury resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. This project, currently under construction, is a collaboration between Wynn Resorts’ affiliates, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding.
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The Ras Al Khaimah government communications office, RAKTDA, and RAK Hospitality Holding did not immediately respond to requests for comments from Reuters.
Last month, the UAE established a federal entity to oversee gambling and appointed experienced professionals from the US gaming industry to lead it, ending years of speculation about the country’s stance on gambling, which has been illegal in the conservative Gulf region.
This shift towards allowing gambling coincides with increasing economic competition in the Gulf, particularly with Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the UAE recently introduced several liberal legal reforms to strengthen its position as the region’s trade, tourism, and financial hub.
