UAE Grants First Commercial Gaming Licence to Wynn Resorts
Hotel and casino operator Wynn Resorts has been awarded the UAE's first commercial gaming operator's licence. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) confirmed the development to Khaleej Times on Saturday.
The Las Vegas-based casino firm is building Wynn Al Marjan Island as the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Set to open to the public in early 2027, the multi-billion dollar project is being built on an island of almost 62 hectares extending into the Arabian Gulf.
The GCGRA did not offer any other details about the licence that was awarded to the company.
In a statement, Wynn Resorts said the 'commercial gaming facility operator licence' has been issued to the 'entity developing the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah'. This 'entity' is a joint venture between affiliates of Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.
The GCGRA defines 'commercial gaming' as any game of chance, or combination of chance and skill, 'where an amount of money, in cash or cash equivalents, is wagered – i.e. placed as a bet – for the purpose of winning a sum of money or other valuable items'. Among the gaming operators specified by the GCGRA are land-based gaming facilities.
The licence award follows a 'diligent and extensive review' by the GCGRA. 'Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the licence grant signifies and is proud to be the recipient of the first commercial gaming facility license in the UAE. We are underway with the construction of our resort in Ras Al Khaimah and look forward to being a key partner in the development of its tourism economy.'
This is the second licence to be issued by the GCGRA, an independent executive entity within the UAE federal government that regulates, licenses, and supervises all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE. In July, the gaming authority awarded the licence to operate the first authorised lottery in the country to Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC.
Though highly anticipated for its gaming features, Wynn Al Marjan Island will feature non-gaming amenities as well. It will house 1,542 rooms and suites, including 22 private villa estates. It will be the first Wynn Resort — out of its six properties in Las Vegas, Macau, and Boston Harbor — to come up on a beach.
Construction on the project began in early 2023. A 300-metre-tall resort tower is expected to be topped off in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Iran Reopens Central And Western Airspace To International Transit Flights After Israel Ceasefire
Iran has reopened its central and western airspace to international transit flights, state-run Nour News reported on Saturday. The move comes days after a ceasefire was reached in the conflict between Iran and Israel, which had severely disrupted regional air traffic and prompted many international airlines to avoid Iranian airspace. Tehran had shut its skies on June 13, following a large-scale bombing campaign by Israel. The closure caused widespread flight diversions across the Middle East. Despite Iran's decision to reopen its airspace, Dubai-based Emirates airline announced on Saturday that it would extend the suspension of its flights to and from Tehran until July 5, citing continued uncertainty in the region. The airline had already faced disruptions earlier in the week, rerouting some flights on June 23 as a precaution. However, Emirates confirmed that its services to Baghdad and Basra in Iraq will resume as scheduled on July 1 and 2, respectively. The recent escalation between Iran and Israel in mid-June led to heightened tensions and intermittent air travel disruptions across the Middle East. While the ceasefire has eased some restrictions, airlines continue to operate with caution in the region.
Daily Tribune
11 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Xiaomi receives almost 300,000 SUV pre-orders in minutes
hinese electric vehicle maker Xiaomi received almost 300,000 pre-orders within an hour for its first sport utility vehicles in what the company said was a "miraculous" moment for the industry. Lei Jun, founder and CEO of the electronics-turned-car company, said he was astonished by the reaction from customers. "My goodness, in just two minutes, we received 196,000 paid pre-orders and 128,000 lockin orders," Lei said in a video distributed after the vehicle's launch on Thursday night. "We may be witnessing a miracle in China's automotive industry." The company's electric vehicle division said later on its official Weibo account that there had been 289,000 pre-orders for the five-seater YU7, priced from 253,500 yuan (about $35,000), within the first hour of sales. Xiaomi's Hong Kong-listed shares soared eight percent at one point before paring their gains but ending at a record high. The Beijing-based commercial tech giant made its first foray into car-making with its SU7 EV model last year, part of a broader industry push to boost domestic consumption. Initial enthusiasm for intelligent driving features in such vehicles was tempered by the fatal crash of a Xiaomi SU7 in March. The vehicle had been in assisted driving mode just before it crashed, killing three students. Premier Li Qiang used the World Economic Forum in Tianjin this week to outline China's ambition to become a "major consumption powerhouse", emphasising policies to stimulate demand for high-value goods such as electric vehicles.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Gulf budget airlines shift focus to in-flight security
A growing focus on operational safety and security is beginning to reshape the strategy of low-cost airlines in the Gulf, traditionally known for prioritising rapid growth and affordability. The latest indication of this shift comes from Oman's SalamAir, which has signed a four-year partnership with UK-based Osprey Flight Solutions to embed real-time aviation risk intelligence into its operations. The agreement will see SalamAir integrate Osprey's data-led platform into flight planning, operational decision-making, and security management. The system allows airlines to monitor and respond to security risks in real time, marking a step change in how budget carriers in the region manage aviation risk. 'This partnership reflects SalamAir's recognition that real-time, comprehensive risk intelligence is not only essential for operational security, but also for gaining a competitive edge in today's dynamic aviation environment,' said Andrew Nicholson, CEO of Osprey Flight Solutions. While major carriers have long incorporated advanced security systems into their operations, SalamAir's move highlights a broader shift among low-cost airlines towards adopting similar technologies as part of their digital and operational strategies. SalamAir currently operates a fleet of 13 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, flying more than 80 daily services. It is preparing to expand its fleet, with two aircraft set for delivery in July 2025 and a further 10 on order, aiming to grow to 25 aircraft by 2028. 'With Osprey, we are not just managing risk, we are mitigating it,' said Capt. Salim Al Khatri, Director of Flight Operations at SalamAir. He described the agreement as part of the airline's ongoing efforts to place safety and technology at the core of its operations.
