Wynn's Big Bet: Why Wynn Al Marjan Island, UAE's First Casino, is Being Built on Ras Al Khaimah

When global executives evaluate transformative bets, Wynn Resorts' move into the UAE stands out as one of the boldest strategic plays of the decade.

- Imara De Chickera.

Long associated with Las Vegas grandeur and the high-stakes energy of Macau, Wynn is now reshaping the Gulf's tourism landscape with a USD 5.1 billion integrated resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's first venture into commercial gaming. At the center of this ambitious undertaking is Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, whose confident leadership reflects a commitment to scale, global reach, and market-defining strategy.

Billings effectively captures the company's philosophy. Wynn does not pursue modest or incremental opportunities. It builds destinations that redefine markets.

Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago developed over more than a decade, offers exactly the type of blank canvas the company seeks. It is positioned outside the overexposed zones of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, yet close enough to benefit from their infrastructure, international airlift, and regional connectivity. For Wynn, the value of this location extends beyond its geography.

Billings notes that when the resort opens, 95 per cent of the world's population will be within an eight-hour flight of a Wynn property. This level of global access is unmatched by any other integrated resort operator.

The resort now rising on the island aims to reset expectations for luxury and experiential hospitality in the Middle East. Scheduled to open in 2027, the development will feature approximately 1,500 rooms, a private beach, a theatre, 22 restaurants, extensive retail offerings, multiple swimming pools, landscaped promenades, and a spa that blends coastal calm with upscale sophistication.