Published on: December 4, 2025, 10:31 AM.
Most recent update: December 4, 2025, 10:38 AM.
- Wynn discloses that $3.4 billion of the $5.1 billion budget for the UAE casino hotel has been utilized or committed
- The company anticipates the resort will significantly boost tourism as demand exceeds available accommodations
- Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027
Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) recently hosted an analyst tour at Wynn Al Marjan Island, its upcoming casino hotel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and updated investors on project progress, revealing that $3.4 billion of the total projected cost of $5.1 billion has already been allocated or spent.
Wynn is financing its 40% stake in the development independently. According to an investor presentation, all structural concrete work at the integrated resort is complete, and finalization of the guestroom structure is 100% finished, positioning the property to potentially open in Q1 2027. The hotel tower is expected to reach its final height in the current quarter, making it one of the grandest leisure facilities in the UAE.
“Much like how Burj Al Arab stands as a symbol in Dubai, the spire of Wynn Al Marjan Island will establish itself as an architectural marvel in Ras Al Khaimah, serving as a global destination for luxury seekers, including patrons of the UAE’s only casino,” stated Wynn CEO Craig Billings in the investor deck.
Wynn Al Marjan Island is set to be the first officially regulated gaming establishment in the Arab world, with expectations of holding a monopolistic position for several years as UAE gaming authorities aren’t inclined to issue additional casino licenses swiftly.
Strategic Location for Wynn UAE Casino
Wynn Al Marjan Island is approximately 50 minutes from Dubai, with Wynn highlighting that transportation infrastructure in the UAE is improving rapidly, which may reduce travel times in the future.
Addressing concerns about the distance from Dubai, the tourism epicenter of the UAE, Wynn points out that some of the largest regional casinos in the U.S. are situated an average of 52 to 88 minutes from their main market.
Among the largest U.S. regional casinos, only Wynn’s Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Grand Detroit are less than a 30-minute drive from their main markets. Just three others can be accessed within half an hour, dependent on traffic conditions.
The UAE venue is strategically located within an eight-hour flight from 75% of the world’s populace and can attract support from a local demographic of around 10 million residents.
Perfect Timing for Wynn UAE Casino
Wynn Al Marjan is set to play a crucial role in harnessing an anticipated surge in tourism in Ras Al Khaimah over the coming years. Projections indicate that visitor numbers to the emirate will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.8% from late 2024 until 2030, with overnight stays predicted to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% during the same period, as per the Wynn presentation.
This situation suggests that demand for accommodations will likely surpass supply. Wynn estimates that by 2027, the year the casino resort opens, Ras Al Khaimah will face a shortfall of over 8,400 rooms. Other hotel operators are also preparing for this tourism influx, as evidenced by the announcement of at least four major hotel projects in the emirate since Wynn revealed its plans in 2022.
Wynn Al Marjan is also influencing local real estate values. In 2021, prior to the project announcement, the average property sale price in Ras Al Khaimah was $73 per square foot. This figure rose to $86 the following year and is anticipated to hit $207 per square foot this year.