Wynn Al Marjan Island (Ras Al Khaimah)
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Wynn Resorts, Limited has released new images of its latest luxury resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, currently under construction in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

The development is the Company's first beachfront resort and is being built on a beautiful island of almost 62 hectares jutting into the Arabian Gulf. Wynn Resorts is developing the project in partnership with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. It is anticipated to be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

Wynn Design and Development, employing more than 90 talented architects, designers, and creative visionaries, is overseeing all facets of the project's design and development. Wynn Resorts is unique in that it maintains its own full-service design and architectural team.

Wynn Design and Development has created all of Wynn's bespoke gaming resorts. Having designed and developed iconic resorts on two continents, and now with another in Ras Al Khaimah, it is safe to say no single design and architecture team has had a greater impact on the creation of gaming resorts globally than Wynn Design and Development.

"Historically, the area around Ras Al Khaimah was a beacon for navigation and important trade on the Arabian Gulf. Early travelers through the gulf relied upon this tented settlement as a trade landmark between the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Sea," said Todd Lenahan, President and Chief Creative Officer of Wynn Design and Development. "We designed the 300-meter-tall resort tower with Ras Al Khaimah's historic role as a great navigational sentinel in mind. We hope this becomes a new landmark, a new beacon, for travelers to Ras A Khaimah from across the globe."

Overlooking its own white sand beach with views of both the Arabian Gulf and the natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah rising to the Hajar Mountains, Wynn Al Marjan Island will offer guests the full complement of luxury amenities and experiences. It will feature 1,542 rooms and well-appointed suites, including 22 opulent and private Villa Estates situated on the newly designed marina adjacent to the resort. There will also be an extensive poolscape adjacent to the beach with multiple swimming and wading pools, water features, private cabanas, and tropical landscaping covering 3.6 hectares.

The curated collection of 22 dining, lounge and bar experiences will each be presented in their own uniquely designed space, many with views of the beach and poolscape. The theater will feature bespoke production shows.

The resort will also include a 15,000-square-meter shopping esplanade filled with the world's top luxury boutiques, a five-star spa, and a salon. The 7,500-square-meter meetings and events center has been designed to accommodate meetings, conventions, and special celebrations such as weddings. There will also be ample outdoor event terraces and lawns.

Wynn Al Marjan Island began construction in early 2023 with construction led by UAE-based main contractor ALEC Engineering and Contracting. Currently, the structure is about 40 meters tall. The full tower height, more than 300 meters tall, is expected to be topped off in the fourth quarter of 2025. The resort will open to the public in early 2027.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the MENA region, conveniently located near the Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi airports. Comprised of four islands, Al Marjan Island delights visitors with nearly five miles of sparkling beaches and 24 kilometers of waterfront, in addition to world-class hotels and residential developments.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wynn-resorts-releases-new-updated-images-of-wynn-al-marjan-island-302136173.html

Originally Posted by Guest

Very interesting article.
So the Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah is under construction without a casino license in place just yet.

I would assume they have been very involved with the lobbying for casinos to be licensed asap and won't be building with any sort of risk - it just isn't a public, signed deal as yet.

Very interesting article.

So the Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah is under construction without a casino license in place just yet.

The CEO of MGM Resorts has shared his expectation that the UAE could greenlight up to four casinos, including one in his own development: The MGM in Dubai. Bill Hornbuckle said at the Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas this week that MGM is building a “podium and pedestal” that “could house a casino,” on the island in Dubai.
Hornbuckle shared the news in response to a question about the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island – which has a confirmed casino but is yet to secure any kind of license. The $3.9 billion Wynn will be in Ras Al Khaimah, overseen by a new arm of the emirate’s tourism authority called the Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation.

“Yes. We were there early. We have a project, now underway,” Hornbuckle said at the conference. “This island has an MGM, a Bellagio, and an Aria on it. We’re now building a podium and pedestal that could house a casino. We think there will be three or four [casinos] in the Emirates. It’s up to each ruler to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it.”

“We have told them [Dubai] that we’ll put equity in, or we’ll lease the casino in its totality to give us the casino business,” Hornbuckle said. “I don’t know that they [Dubai] are going to want to be in the casino business… I think at the end of the day we’ll end up leasing the casino.”

“Reportedly there’s a gaming decree that has been signed, but not released.”

Source: https://skift.com/2023/10/12/mgm-ceo-expects-4-uae-casinos-will-be-allowed-begins-building-in-dubai/

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MnnfZZ9syFy46J519

The UAE has established a federal body to regulate the country’s lottery and “commercial gaming” industry, state news agency WAM reported, laying the foundation to potentially become the first Gulf country to legalize casinos. The regulator’s board will be chaired by Jim Murren, former CEO of MGM Resorts International, it said, adding Kevin Mullally – who has had nearly 30 years experience in the gaming industry – will serve as the chief executive of the new body.

Source:
https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/uae-sets-up-gaming-regulator-6423026/

Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, has suggested that the issuance of the first casino license in the UAE may be imminent, with the company's planned casino resort in the Northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah set to become the only establishment of its kind in the country.


“We have everything we need to operate gaming in Al Marjan. So while there may be conversation in other Emirates about legalization or legalization at the federal level, thereby covering all Emirates, I expect that we will have our license for Ras Al Khaimah actually imminently,” Billings said during Wynn's second-quarter earnings call.

Billings further told investors that the company has a very substantial growth opportunity in the UAE and called it “the most exciting gaming market in decades.” The planned $3.9 billion casino resort, described by analysts as “one of the most exciting growth prospects in the gaming industry globally,” will be called Wynn Al Marjan Island and is expected to open in early 2027.

Source: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2023/08/11/68283-wynn-expects-first-uae-casino-license-for-upcoming-al-marjan-project-may-be-issued-soon