The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah on Tuesday announced a multibillion-dollar deal with casino giant Wynn Resorts and said it will allow “gaming”, without elaborating what “gaming” referred to.
A media report said the announcement comes after months of rumors about gambling coming to the UAE, where Islam, which prohibits gambling, influences economic and cultural policies.
None of the seven UAE emirates have announced a similar deal, but casino operator Caesars Palace operates a massive resort already in Dubai, the report said.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said in a statement that a new gaming division would require “compliance with all applicable laws and regulations (including financial crime laws) from operators, suppliers and employees.”
It also would “ensure responsible gaming at all levels.”
Gaming is often used as a euphemism for gambling in the United States. A statement on the deal, also posted to Wynn Resorts’ website, included repeated mentions of “gaming” facilities at the site, the report said.
“The newly announced integrated resort is still in its early design phase and due for completion by 2026,” a follow-up statement from Marjan, the Ras Al Khaimah developer involved in the deal, said. “These are all the details that can be provided at this stage.”
Ras Al Khaimah is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been trying to raise its profile for years in the tourism market, which is dominated by Dubai. It draws a variety of tourists from India, Russia, the United Kingdom and Egypt.
According to reports, the project, set to open on Al Marjan Island, is the first beach resort being developed by Nevada-based Wynn Resorts globally. It involves a 1,000-plus room hotel, high-end shopping mall, a state-of-the-art meeting and convention facility, a spa, more than 10 restaurants and lounges, a wide array of entertainment choices, and other amenities.