From Desert Oasis To Glamorous Haven: Ras Al Khaimah’s Newest Resort Shakes Up The Gulf Region

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Get ready to roll the dice as Ras Al Khaimah shakes up the Gulf with its daring move to open the region’s first casino. With adult gaming considered taboo in the UAE, this audacious announcement has caught everyone’s attention and left us wondering how other emirates will respond to this bold move.

Enter Wynn Resorts, one of the giants of the casino world, whose plans for the Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah are making waves. Slated to open its doors in early 2027, this lavish resort is set to redefine luxury with 1,500 rooms, a gaming area, top-notch entertainment options, and a staggering selection of 24 dining and lounge experiences. The eyes of the entire Gulf region will be on this groundbreaking project, which pushes the boundaries and challenges the status quo.

An article published in Investment Monitor explains how gaming secured approvals in the UAE

RAK Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was busy establishing a new division dedicated to regulating integrated resorts just as Wynn Resorts made its move. With responsible gaming as a top priority, RAKTDA aims to create a robust framework to ensure that the gaming facility operates ethically and responsibly.

While the specifics of the gaming experience are yet to be revealed, experts predict that the Wynn Al Marjan Island will attract a diverse array of tourists, both domestic and international. This bold venture has the potential to not only boost tourism but also attract sustainable foreign direct investment, diversifying the UAE’s economy beyond traditional sectors. By embracing gaming, the UAE adds a captivating new dimension to its already thriving tourism and entertainment offerings.

 

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Ras Al Khaimah, often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Dubai, aims to step into the spotlight and establish itself as a top tourism destination

With a focus on nature, adventure tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), RAK is determined to make a mark. Under RAKTDA’s visionary Tourism Vision 2030 strategy, the emirate has set its sights on welcoming over three million annual visitors by the end of the decade.

Wynn Resorts is not alone in its quest to transform Al Marjan Island into a tourism hotspot. Nobu Hospitality is gearing up to unveil Nobu Al Marjan Island, an exquisite luxury hotel and residences project. Additionally, the renowned Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Three Musketeers Hospitality, a UAE-based real estate developer, will grace Ras Al Khaimah with the new Le Méridien Al Marjan Island Resort & Spa, offering 350 keys of pure hospitality bliss by 2026.

As Ras Al Khaimah boldly pioneers the gaming scene in the UAE, it poses an intriguing question: will other emirates follow suit or chart their own unique paths? Only time will tell how this daring venture will shape the future of the region’s tourism landscape.

 

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