Dubai Official: Don’t Bet on Casinos in Emirate

Wynn Resorts is moving send on with plans for an structured resort hotel on Al-Marjan Island , United Arabian Emirates (UAE), but Dubai is unlikely to fall out suit.

Owing to bountiful oil reserves, UAE is the third-richest rural area inwards the domain on a per capita basis and i of the primary feather tourist destinations in the Middle East, but Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing CEO Issam Kazim said the urban center is unlikely to embracing casino gaming anytime soon.

As far as I’m concerned, in that respect is no more gaming that’s coming around the turning point for us,” he said inward an question with Reuters earlier this week.

Gulf states, including UAE, traditionally make more restrictive gaming laws than other parts of the Middle East, but at that place are signs of liberalisation as highlighted by Wynn’s January annunciation that it testament establish an integrated resort reportedly valued at $2 billion on the manmade Al-Marjan Island.

Wynn is partnering with RAK Hospitality Holding LLC — a local hotel developer — on the project, and it’s estimated the US company’s bet is sledding to follow around a third.

Dubai Definitely Desirable

Likely for fearfulness of ruffling feathers in the emirate, gaming companies don’t overtly crowd the military issue of casinos inwards Dubai, but it’s understandable why operators would the like to see to it the metropolis alteration course.

In the firstly quarter of 2022, Dubai welcomed 4 1000000 international overnight visitors, more than tripling the identification number seen inwards the yr earliest period. Dubai notched 82% hotel occupancy inwards the world-class tercet months of this yr — honest for the best order inward the world. By comparison, first-quarter hotel occupancy rates inwards Greater London and New House of York were 56% and 55.3%, respectively.

“Dubai’s ability to surpass other major global cities inward key tourism indicators demonstrates the success of the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed binful Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make a hub for business, investment, entrepreneurship and touristry that rivals the world’s best,” said Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mahound bin Rashid Al Maktoum inwards a statement.

Last month, Susan B. Anthony Costa, regional chair at Caesars Palace, told Reuters that companion would evaluate gaming inwards Dubai if the opportunity presents itself. Caesar Entertainment opened inwards Dubai in 2018, but it doesn’t get a casino. Nor does Caesars Bluewaters Dubai.

MGM Resorts International is building a hotel inward Dubai, but the operator appears pessimistic near the likeliness of gambling casino being a near-term improver to the venue.

Wynn Could Seth UAE Casino Table

Analysts look Wynn could bring forth 20% homecoming on investment funds with its UAE venue. While it’s widely expected gaming won’t follow a centrepiece of the property, it testament feature article a casino and if successful, it could live a motivator for other emirates to reevaluate gaming policy.

Other operators commented they’d evaluate goings on with Wynn’s UAE project, potentially background the represent for more gaming development down the road.

On Tuesday, HKS Architects said it will be the architect for the Wynn property. The stiff intentional the Venetian Macau, Palazzo Las Vegas, and Atlantis Paradise Island inwards the Bahamas.

This content is presented to you by the trusted Mega888 in Malaysia.