The MGM's latest venture, The Island Resort in Dubai, won't feature a gaming establishment.
The proposed megaproject, dubbed The Island, by MGM in Dubai, as per reports, doesn't include a designated gambling zone. The Dubai gambling regulatory body hasn't provided MGM with a license to operate a casino yet. Despite this, a substantial budget of over 2.5 billion USD (approximately 2.32 billion EUR) is allocated for the construction of the hotel complex.
The Island: Three Non-Gambling Hotels
MGM's upcoming The Island project, as detailed in a Skift article [Link in English], consists of three distinct hotels. Regrettably, gambling isn't on the menu for guests due to the absence of a gambling license. MGM and Bellagio hotels will be integrated into a single complex housing a total of 1,400 rooms. Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts' CEO and President, commented on the Dubai project:
Sure thing, we've got Dubai. It's a massive project with a price tag of over 2.5 billion USD, casino-free.– Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts, Skift**
Construction on The Island Resort began in 2017, but progress has been slow, and an official launch date hasn't been set yet.
Wynn Resorts and the UAE's First Casino Resort
Gambling enthusiasts visiting The Island Resort in Dubai may need to wait for their fix, but things are set to change in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn Resorts plans to be the first gambling company to introduce a casino in the UAE.
The project, scheduled for 2027, carries a price tag of around 2 billion USD (approximately 1.85 billion EUR) as shared by investment bank JP Morgan.
Currently, gambling could experience significant growth in the United Arab Emirates based on emerging trends. The initial gambling regulatory body in Dubai was established as early as September 2023.
A Potential MGM Casino in Abu Dhabi?
MGM Resorts may look into establishing a new casino in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is a potential site for a new construction project in the UAE. Bill Hornbuckle also hinted at potential plans for Abu Dhabi:
We've ventured into Dubai, particularly Abu Dhabi, to decipher the UAE license situation in general, but also the possibilities in Abu Dhabi. We suspect Yas Island could be the spot. If there's a submission, we're ready to jump in.– Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts, Skift**
Yas Island is renowned for its extensive entertainment offerings, boasting a Ferrari theme park, a Warner Brothers Park, and SeaWorld. The local supervisory body, GCGRA, is headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the absence of a gambling license in Dubai, the news of MGM's The Island project has created buzz, with guests eagerly anticipating the opening of three distinct hotels.
With MGM considering a possible casino project in Abu Dhabi, news of potential gambling opportunities in the UAE continues to spark interest among gambling enthusiasts.
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