When Wynn Resorts Al Marjan announced the development of its US$3.9bn integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah (which is scheduled to open in 2027) there had already been significant cooperation as regards IR development between the US and UAE. Tere's currently 8,000 hotel rooms in Ras Al Khaimah, with contracts for another 8,000 to be added over the next couple of years.


year and there are significant infrastructure projects ongoing, including a shift of the main airport to Al Maktoum, Dubai’s plan for ‘world’s largest airport’ that will see 260 million passengers travel through its US$35bn futuristic desert hub.


Is gambling legal in the UAE? Te answer is, it is until it isn't. Tere are several of laws that criminalise gaming in various forms in the UAE. However, it's possible that there's already been a federal decree or law that decriminalises gaming, it just hasn't been made public yet. It's not uncommon in the UAE for the government to act with 'discretion.' Te understanding is that the process of legalisation is in the works, if it hasn't been decided and decreed already.


What's the motivation for the government to authorise commercial gambling when there’s already a robust economy in UAE? Tere are several reasons to consider. Te first is that while it's a more diversified economy than other Gulf of Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), around 30 per cent of the country's GDP is still oil dependent. Casino gaming would be part of a continual move by the government to diversify the economy.


Tourism will continue to be an economic growth engine for UAE. It currently comprises about nine per cent of GDP, which is significant at around US$50bn per year. Te government believes commercial gaming/integrated resorts is one of the methods that will help realise its expansion plans.


Tere's significant infrastructure towards that goal already being built. Te UAE is making sure that it is one, two, or three steps ahead of the region to maintain its spot as a leading


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