In January, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced the formation of a new division focused on the regulation of integrated resorts, including hotel operations, convention space, entertainment, restaurants and lounges, spa, retail and gaming facilities.
“The bar is high for us, but I can’t think of anybody better positioned to raise that bar than us, it’s definitely not a situation like the Las Vegas Strip where these luxury properties are all near each other,”
Wynn Resorts Ltd., Caesars Entertainment Inc. and MGM Resorts International have taken their brands to the Middle East. Wynn CEO Craig Billings is excited about the prospects for the luxury property, which is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.
Caesars Palace Dubai, which is already open, is in Dubai, the most populous city in the UAE.
The site of MGM’s development, which will include an MGM Grand, a Bellagio-branded hotel and MGM Signature villas, is about 86 miles southwest of Dubai in the nation’s capital Abu Dhabi.
Wynn’s property is about 70 miles to the northeast of Dubai in the northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
The seven emirates are governed independently which is why Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah will be allowed to offer casino gaming while Caesars and MGM properties will not.
It’s probably the most diverse geography in the UAE and when you’re in a leisure destination like this, you generally work very closely with the local tourism authority ,the tourism authority in Ras Al Khaimah is world class and you market the destination. That will be part of our strategy, to market the destination and market ourselves within that destination, said Wynn´s CEO Craig Billings
