For a long time, the idea of casinos in the UAE was just speculation. The scenario quickly changed, though, following a surge in visits by high-level gaming executives and the steady expansion of major global brands into the region, indicating that a policy shift was imminent.
In the end, it happened relatively quickly. In 2022, Wynn Resorts produced a plan for a casino and resort (an ‘integrated resort’) to be built in Ras Al Khaimah. The following year, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to serve as the formal authority. In 2024, Wynn received the first commercial gaming license in the country.
While the USD 5.1 billion integrated resort is set to open in 2027, this development is about more than a single project. Jim Murren, the chair of the GCGRA, has said as much, noting that he believes we will see four additional casino resorts in the UAE in the next few years.
If the casino landscape develops in the UAE as many think it will, it would mark a huge shift in the country’s tourism and entertainment sectors – perhaps the biggest in decades. The impact will be significant in hospitality but will also affect fiscal policy, foreign investment, workforce development, real estate, and technology. In short, it would impact almost every aspect of the UAE’s economy.
Continuing the push to diversify the economy
The UAE’s goal to diversify its economy was set out in several key initiatives and visions several years ago. These include the now-complete UAE Vision 2021, as well as the future-looking UAE Centennial 2071, We the UAE 2031, and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
At the sector level, much work is being done to continue this diversification. The UAE wanted to move its tourism offering beyond luxury shopping, warm weather and high-end hotels. To that end, the country has built everything from museums to adventure tourism hubs. Casinos would add yet another major component to that diversification strategy.
History has shown that integrated resorts tend to attract international visitors with money to spend, who generally stay longer and spend across multiple categories. Places like Singapore understand this well and have built integrated resorts, boosting their annual tourism receipts by millions. Given that the UAE is already very popular with affluent travellers, it has the potential to see a Singapore-like boost with the advent of casino resorts.
A final point to make is that a casino’s reach extends far beyond the actual gambling. Complementary sectors, including nightclubs, restaurants, retail, and all kinds of entertainment, will see a related uptick in business as the resort amplifies the overall value chain.
A magnet for foreign investment
The introduction of regulated commercial gaming will draw in some of the world’s largest hospitality and entertainment groups. Of course, several of the biggest global names already operate hotels in the UAE, but the move into integrated resorts offers the opportunity for expansion. This would translate into billion-dollar investments, structured across developments that incorporate residential, convention centres, theatres and retail.
These kinds of projects are long-term commitments that embed foreign capital into the local economy for decades. In addition, they elevate the UAE’s standing in global investment circles, confirming it as an internationally competitive market that can attract the most sophisticated operators.
Employment and skills development
The economic impact of casinos is not limited to headline investment figures. Integrated resorts are enterprises that need a wide range of skills, including hospitality, security and marketing. They also require expertise in design, logistics, and events, along with the associated data and IT support. In this way, they create substantial direct employment while also supporting indirect jobs across supply chains.
The UAE can really take advantage here, given its strong talent strategy of upskilling the local population and attracting the best foreign workers the world has to offer. Casinos could accelerate skills development in the areas mentioned above, as well as related fields such as regulatory compliance.
Fiscal benefits
When it’s well-regulated, the gaming industry has the potential to generate significant fiscal returns. Governments usually benefit from multiple revenue streams, including licensing fees, corporate taxes, tourism levies, and the indirect VAT generated by associated spending. While the UAE’s tax structure differs from traditional gaming markets, even modest revenue mechanisms could yield solid returns given the scale of potential developments.
Construction spending on integrated resorts produces multi-year economic activity and supports a wide range of businesses, including engineering firms, architects, contractors, and a variety of suppliers. Once operational, these resorts then become engines of economic circulation, with revenues redistributed through wages, procurement, and partnerships.
Of course, casinos don’t exist in isolation. Rather, they anchor larger districts. The arrival of an integrated resort in a particular emirate, like the current Wynn venture in Ras Al Khaimah, will accelerate surrounding infrastructure development and increase land values.
Being responsible: New regulations
Any discussion of casinos in the UAE must acknowledge the balancing act between economic ambition and social policy. The government has consistently prioritised stability and cultural alignment across new industries. If gaming becomes a key part of the economy, it will be underpinned by a rigorous regulatory framework designed to ensure transparency and responsible gaming.
This approach would mirror Singapore’s model, which is a highly controlled, carefully monitored sector within a broader entertainment economy rather than a standalone entity.
Casinos and the future of UAE tourism
The global tourism market is entering a new phase shaped by changing consumer expectations. Integrated resorts meet these demands by combining multiple areas, including immersive experiences, high-end hospitality, and data-driven personalisation.
While casinos may not define the UAE’s tourism identity, they will certainly expand it, sitting alongside cultural institutions, nature reserves, theme parks and sporting venues. They would play a key role in creating a more resilient and varied economic base.
Ultimately, casinos in the UAE represent more than a new entertainment option. They have the potential to deepen diversification and attract global capital, strengthen workforce capabilities, and elevate the country’s position in the competitive global tourism market.
