Casinos in Dubai: List of Authorized Casinos 2025

Key construction milestones to date include the completion of the tower’s structural concrete, full structural completion of guest accommodation, near completion of low-rise structures and more than 438,000 cubic metres of concrete poured. Like online casinos, dubai betting sites are subject to regulatory oversight and must adhere to local laws. The first approved option is Play971, currently the only fully licensed online casino and sportsbook in the UAE.

And what about sports betting?

The timeline for when Dubai will have licensed casinos depends on the licensing process and the finalization of regulatory approvals. The United Arab Emirates sets up a federal entity to regulate gaming and hired veterans of the U.S. gambling industry to lead it, as stated by the news agency WAM. Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket, a major UAE prize draw platform, has temporarily halted operations under the mandate of the UAE Gaming Regulatory Authority. This pause prompts reflection for organizers and regulators, amidst regulatory adjustments and operational reviews.

It will be operated by The Game LLC under the banner UAE Lottery and it is expected to offer a diverse range of games. The resort, which will have views of the Arabian Gulf, is a hotel and casino with 1,500 rooms, suites and villas, as well as two dozen restaurants, a spa, an event centre and a theatre. The hotel developer and operator said the gaming licence issued by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority related to its property in Ras Al Khaimah.

Scheduled to open Spring 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island has been created as an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax. The resort is located less than 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport and is currently under construction on a picturesque island totaling more than 60 hectares that gracefully curve into the beautiful Arabian Gulf. The midpoint of that range exceeds the roughly $140 million Wynn collected in 2024 intellectual property payments from its Macau arm.

Attendees poured the final concrete and received commemorative steel bars taken from the structure. Once the spire is installed in 2026, the tower will reach its full architectural height of 352 metres, making it the tallest man-made structure in Ras Al Khaimah by more than 100 metres. In Dubai, an ambitious project called ‘The Island’ plans to host names like MGM, Bellagio, and Aria, which have a strong casino culture.

• Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
• Wynn Resorts has confirmed that it has been awarded the UAE’s first commercial gaming license.
• MGM Resorts has submitted a casino license application in Abu Dhabi, marking a new opportunity in the UAE’s expanding gaming market.
• The hotel developer and operator said the gaming licence issued by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority related to its property in Ras Al Khaimah.

UAE Considers Allocating Casino Licenses Across All 7 Emirates

UAE regulator and New Jersey sign cooperation deal to enhance regulatory oversight, cybersecurity, and consumer protection as the Emirates prepare to launch legal casino operations and online gaming framework. Net property revenue is expected to come in between $1.38 billion and $1.88 billion, which includes net gaming revenues and non-gaming revenues. This prohibition is not just a cultural norm but a legal mandate that influences the legal framework and judicial practices in many Islamic countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a prominent emirate. The legal status of gambling in Dubai and the broader UAE is deeply intertwined with the principles of Sharia, which serve as a foundational source for the country’s legislation and moral guidelines.

Analysts highlight that Wynn Resorts’ stock is undervalued, with investors overlooking the significant impact of its UAE casino project. Expected to be the first regulated casino in the region, this development could boost both Wynn’s market position. Meanwhile, MGM Resorts has proposed a casino project in Abu Dhabi and has applied for a gaming license. Wynn Resorts has secured its gaming license and is moving forward with its casino project in Ras Al Khaimah, north of Dubai. The regulator’s first two licences come months after some operators of the UAE’s prize draws were required in January to pause business. Wynn, best known for its casino hotel resorts in Las Vegas, Boston and Macau, expect the project will create at least 4,000 jobs and become the next “catalyst” for tourism in the emirate.

Since its formation, the GCGRA has sought to develop a regulatory framework to protect consumers and stakeholders. "We are underway with the construction of our resort in Ras Al Khaimah and look forward to being a key partner in the development of its tourism economy." "Wynn Resorts thanks the GCGRA for the confidence and trust the licence grant signifies and is proud to be the recipient of the first commercial gaming facility licence in the UAE. Guests will discover 24 thoughtfully planned restaurants, lounges, a beach club, and nightclub. In both fine- and casual-dining restaurants, outstanding culinary experiences have been planned amid environments that are simply stunning, with menus and interiors conceived and created by highly acclaimed, legendary chefs and designers.

CEO Craig Billings and other executives recently flew to the Emirates to give an update on progress. The closed event was for investors only, but Wynn has made the 74-page presentation public. To mark the topping out milestone, senior executives from Wynn Resorts, Wynn Design and Development and Marjan gathered at the summit of the tower overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

Some analysts believe that betting app in uae with contributions from other integrated resorts in the future, the UAE could be a $3 billion to $5 billion market in terms of annual gross gaming revenue (GGR). That’s based on the assumption that the country will approve other casino licenses in the future, though it’s widely believed Wynn Al Marjan will be the only game in town for several years. Wynn Resorts has confirmed that it has been awarded the UAE’s first commercial gaming license.

Wynn Al Marjan Island has announced a major construction milestone, achieving structural completion for what is set to become the Middle East’s first fully integrated resort. While Sharia serves as a guiding principle, the UAE’s legal system is a hybrid structure that also incorporates elements of civil law to govern various aspects of public and private life. By now the UAE is a major global tourist destination known for its hospitality and cosmopolitan cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi and visitors are also expected to abide by local laws, including those regarding gambling. Meydan Racecourse and Jebel Ali Racecourse serve not only as venues for witnessing the majestic sport of horse racing but also as centers where limited forms of betting take place. It’s crucial to understand that any form of wagering conducted here is heavily regulated and operates within a legal framework designed to maintain the integrity of the sport and adhere to the country’s laws.

The resort will include 22 restaurants, lounges and bars, a beach club, a spa and beauty destination, a retail parterre, 12 pools, a 420 metre white sand beach and a deep water marina capable of accommodating superyachts. The development, led by Wynn Resorts in partnership with Marjan, has reached its highest structural concrete point at 283 metres across 70 floors, just 27 months after foundation works began. Our selected sites at EmirPlay excel in entertainment and uphold trusted iGaming licenses, expertly reviewed. Additionally, we’re committed to staying abreast of the law, and each user is accountable for their actions. Since the beginning of speculation, we’ve covered news on Dubai’s casinos and the legalization of gambling.

Wynn says the tower is structurally complete, with the laying of concrete finished, all guest-room structures built and interior room fit-outs underway. In parallel, Wynn More details Resorts and Marjan are advancing a second joint venture on Al Marjan Island, Janu Al Marjan Island, which was announced in November 2025 and is now under construction. The project will bring Aman Group’s Janu brand to Ras Al Khaimah, with an opening planned for late 2028. A recent Dubai Casino survey shows that over half (54%) of respondents are eager to attract new tourists through casino gaming, with hopes to boost Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism and drive economic growth.