UAE tourism takes turn

The UAE is quietly positioning itself to emerge as a notable player in the global casino industry, with Ras Al Khaimah at the forefront of this transformation. 

Thus, the UAE's nascent casino industry remains largely discreet, but increasing investments and behind-the-scenes activities suggest a promising future, subtly transforming the region’s tourism and entertainment scene for international visitors. The primary rule regarding casinos in the UAE: discussing them is off-limits, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a nation where alcohol is heavily regulated and public profanity is penalized, gambling is a cultural and legal taboo, prohibited for local citizens. However, beneath this surface lies the foundation of a multi-billion-dollar gaming industry aimed at foreign tourists.

The signs are unmistakable: a national gaming authority has been established, experienced casino executives from Las Vegas are relocating to the Emirates, and a significant hotel project is already underway. Recently, Wynn Resorts announced that it has obtained a license to operate a “gaming facility” in the UAE — the first of its kind. 

Once fully developed, this industry could contribute as much as 1.7 per cent to the UAE’s GDP, potentially generating nearly $10 billion annually — a significant figure for a country that was once largely untouched desert. This would also signify one of the most substantial cultural shifts in the UAE's modern history. Over the past two years, the UAE government has been unveiling its plans gradually and cautiously. 

However, those in the know are maintaining silence. Operators from Las Vegas remain discreet, and insiders familiar with the scope of development are reluctant to speak publicly. This secrecy is understandable. Despite the activity behind the scenes, “gambling tools and machines” are still classified as restricted items by the UAE government. 

There is no formal gaming legislation yet, the newly formed gaming commission is not engaging with the media, and the government has yet to publicly mention the term “casino.” For now, the UAE's potential emergence as a global gambling hub is a story unfolding quietly in the shadows. Although rumors about gaming have circulated in the UAE for years, the casino industry began to take shape in January 2022, when Wynn Resorts announced a partnership with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the fourth largest of the seven UAE emirates, to develop a large-scale resort.

Representatives from Dubai Tourism and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism did not respond to requests for comment, while the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority declined to discuss gaming in the emirate. Historically, Ras Al Khaimah has been overshadowed by its more prominent and glamorous neighbors, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

However, this could soon change as the emirate is making a significant investment in a large Wynn Resorts property planned for Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago off the coast of RAK. This ambitious $3.9 billion project, set to open in the coming years, will feature over 1,500 rooms, 24 restaurants, and potentially one of the most talked-about casinos in the region. 

By Naila Huseynova