Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – In a first for Gulf Arab region, hotel and casino operator Wynn Resorts will open a casino at the luxury resort it is building in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Chief Executive Craig Scott Billings said, Reuters reported.
The casino would mark a watershed moment for the Gulf. The gambling has been off-limits for a region that has traditionally imposed stricter Islamic rules than other parts of the Middle East.
The opening of a new casino comes in the wake of a fast-changing Gulf region, trying to diversify its economy its oil-dependent economy. The UAE and the rapidly-opening Saudi Arabia are engaged in a tough competition to attract the international businesses, investment and tourists.
The casino is set for completion in 2026 on a man-made island off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah.
Ras Al Khaimah is one of the smaller and lesser-known of the seven UAE emirates.Â