Wynn casino-hotel in UAE poised as catalyst for Ras Al Khaimah investment boom
As Wynn Resorts prepares to open a $5.1 billion casino hotel in Ras Al Khaimah next year, Abdulla Al Abdouli is promising formidable opportunities for the emirate as a magnet for business and tourism.
The Sorbonne-educated architect is CEO of Marjan, the real estate company developing Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago that will house the Gulf’s first legal gaming establishment. Marjan aims to turn the island into a hub for tourism, business, and residential life.
“The goal is for people to come to Ras Al Khaimah, call it home, and see it as the best place for their businesses,” Al Abdouli, 40, said in an interview with The Circuit. “That is my ultimate goal.”
Construction is underway on the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, scheduled to open in 2027 with 1,500 rooms and the first casino in the UAE. The project, which Wynn announced a year ago, is expected to increase tourism substantially and attract investment to the emirate, standing beside other Marjan developments such as RAK Central.
Before the interview, Al Abdouli pitched investors on investment opportunities in RAK Central, positioning Marjan as more than a land developer – it is Ras Al Khaimah’s bridge to international capital.
“It’s not just about design,” he said. “It’s about commercial gain, a business-friendly environment, a transparent legal framework, and strong government support.”
Ras Al Khaimah combines a rich history and natural appeal with a reputation as a quieter alternative to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The emirate traces its roots to pearl trading and coastal settlements, and today its mountains, beaches, and lifestyle destinations attract both international visitors and UAE residents seeking short-term escapes from the country’s arid climate.
Rohit Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Real Estate, noted Ras Al Khaimah’s significantly lower prices compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and expects the new casino resort to stoke demand for property in the emirate.
“The growth trajectory is steep, particularly after Wynn’s announcement,” Bachani said.
Bachani credited government-backed developers such as Al Hamra for creating integrated communities anchored by golf courses, luxury hotels including Sofitel and Waldorf Astoria and shopping attractions like Al Hamra Mall.
Dalands, a Dubai-based developer led by CEO Saurabh Gupta, is building W Residences Al Marjan Island in partnership with Marriott International, with Marjan’s support.
“Beyond the UAE’s macroeconomic strength, the emirate has created a real demand engine with visible progress and near-term timelines driving tangible appreciation,” Gupta said.
To be sure, gaming remains sensitive in the UAE and across the Gulf. Islamic law prohibits gambling, and officials have carefully framed casinos as part of integrated entertainment resorts rather than standalone gambling venues. Authorities emphasize regulation, transparency, and limited scale to balance economic ambition with cultural and religious norms.
The UAE created the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority in 2023 to license casinos, lotteries, sports betting, online gaming, and integrated resorts. Wynn Resorts received the country’s first commercial gaming license in 2024. Other companies, including Caesars Palace and MGM Resorts, have reportedly applied for or been granted UAE licenses.
The move is designed to diversify the economy, attract global tourism, and grow non-oil revenues. The Wynn resort alone is projected to generate $450–$600 million in annual cash flow, while the wider UAE gaming industry could reach $6.6 billion a year, or about 1.3% of GDP. For Ras Al Khaimah, the project is expected to create thousands of jobs, boost tourism, and drive growth in real estate and hospitality.For Al Abdouli, tourism is the spark, but pushing Ras Al Khaimah into the top tier of the Gulf business world is the endgame.
“Tourism brings people here,” he said. “But it also enables us to launch master plans in other sectors – some tourism-led, some business-led, some lifestyle-led, and some community-led. This holistic approach is part of our mandate as the master developer.”