Wynn Al Marjan: UAE's First Resort with Casino Gaming

Wynn Al Marjan Island: The Real Estate Impact of UAE’s First Casino & Gaming Resort

Aug 2, 2025, 7:00:10 AM | Lifestyle

Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), transforming the tourism and hospitality industry in the country when it opens its doors in early 2027. The project is a $3.9 billion development by Wynn Resorts on the scenic Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah and will be the first attempt of the UAE for a legal casino gaming. The resort is only an hour away by road to the Dubai International Airport and offers luxury accommodation, world-class restaurants, upscale shopping, entertainment and gaming, making Ras Al Khaimah a destination that must be visited. Wynn Al Marjan Island is not only a tourism landmark to international investors, expats, and first-time buyers, but also a real estate opportunity booster in the UAE.

Overview of Wynn Al Marjan Island

Wynn Al Marjan Island is a revolutionary integrated resort that is developed by Wynn Resorts in partnership with Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holding. The resort is located on a 62-hectare man-made island in Ras Al Khaimah and the hotel tower rises 305 meters above the Arabian Gulf. The resort has 1,542 guest rooms, suites and villas, which are aimed at providing the highest level of luxury and have integrated local culture and contemporary sophistication. The construction is going at a very fast pace and almost 60 percent of the work is done in mid-2025 and the project is expected to open in early 2027.

The design of the resort by Wynn Design and Development focuses on the use of natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, garden-like common areas, and a calm beachfront atmosphere. Unlike the conventional gaming resorts, Wynn Al Marjan Island will provide a new, natural setting, trying to avoid the image of a “Sin City” that Las Vegas has.

Features and Amenities

Wynn Al Marjan Island is set to offer many amenities customized for luxury travelers and investors:

Accommodation: The resort will feature 1,542 rooms, including standard rooms, suites, and exclusive villas. Designs incorporate local customs, such as private sleeping quarters, ensuring cultural sensitivity.
Dining and Lounges: With 24 dining and lounge experiences, guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines, from international dishes to local flavors, crafted by world-class chefs.
Shopping: A high-end shopping esplanade will house luxury brands and unique boutiques, offering a premium retail experience.
Entertainment: The resort includes an advanced events center and a theater capable of hosting large-scale production shows, ensuring a vibrant entertainment scene.
Gaming: As the UAE’s first casino resort, it will feature two gaming areas: a main casino spanning 224,000 square feet—larger than Wynn Las Vegas—and a private Sky Casino on the 22nd floor. A third gaming area is under consideration, subject to regulatory approval.

The resort also introduces “Enclave,” an ultra-luxury “destination within a destination,” catering to high-net-worth guests seeking exclusivity.

Economic and Tourism Impact

Wynn Al Marjan Island will change the economy and tourism sector of Ras Al Khaimah. The new development is part of strategies by the emirate to attract 3.5 million visitors annually up from 1.28 million currently by 2030 with this resort at the centerpiece in that vision. Returns from this project are expected to be enormous due to high-spending tourists and also thousands of job creations, presently giving work to 9,100 on-site daily workers. So far, Wynn Resorts has already invested $532.6 million in the said project; another $800-$875 million is what they plan for investment reflecting free cash flow prospects from this project in the long run.

Development of infrastructure, for example, the widening of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport used by 661,765 arrivals last year and expected to go beyond 2 million by 2030 continues sustaining growth in the region. The closeness of the resort to Dubai can be compared with that of Dubai Marina making it a worldwide tourism center.

Economic Impact Metrics	Details
Total Project Cost	$3.9 billion (AED 14.3 billion)
Wynn’s Investment to Date	$532.6 million (AED 1.954 billion)
Future Investment	$800–$875 million
Tourism Goal	3.5 million visitors by 2030
Airport Arrivals (Projected)	2 million by 2030

Real Estate Opportunities Around the Resort

The construction of Wynn Al Marjan Island is propelling a real estate boom on Al Marjan Island and is turning it into a luxury residential and commercial centre. Recent projects:

Jacob & Co. Residences: A luxury 109 million (AED 400 million) project with luxury villas and apartments.
Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island: Beachfront apartments with a starting price of AED 2.49 million, which are attractive to investors and second-home buyers.
W Residences Al Marjan Island: A new project by Dalands and Marriott International that will enhance the top-quality offerings of the island.

It is an indication of the increasing demand in luxury properties as some of these residences have been sold at a price of more than AED 180 million. The presence of the resort will boost the value of properties and rental returns thus Al Marjan Island is a good investment destination. To compare, such locations as Emaar Beachfront in Dubai have experienced the same development because of the closeness to major attractions, which indicates a good future for Ras Al Khaimah.

Buyer Psychology and Investment Potential

Wynn Al Marjan Island is an exclusive project with a buyer psychology that offers an opportunity to real estate investors:

Second-Home Buyers: Rich people are interested in luxury second homes in the best locations, attracted by the status of the resort and the seaside location.
Investment Buyers: Investors expect capital appreciation and high rental returns because of the projected increase in tourism.
Vacation Rentals: Short-term rentals are in demand due to the influx of tourists, and it is a profitable opportunity to rent out property.

The reputation of the UAE as a safe, luxurious, and economically stable country also increases the confidence of buyers. Nevertheless, investors are advised to pay attention to regulatory peculiarities, including the possible limitation of gaming access to Emiratis, which can affect the market situation.

Comparison with Global Integrated Resorts

Wynn Al Marjan Island is one of the best integrated resorts in the world because of its distinctiveness:

First-Mover Advantage: Being the first casino resort in the UAE, it has a gaming monopoly in the first years, which is a major attraction to foreign tourists.
Luxury and Design: The resort is designed with a culturally sensitive design and a beachfront location that distinguishes it with the conventional gaming resorts, providing a new organic atmosphere.
Scale: The primary casino is 50 percent bigger than that of Wynn Las Vegas, making it a global leader in the integrated resort market.

In comparison to resorts in Macau or Singapore, Wynn Al Marjan Island offers luxury with a new gaming experience in an area that has never had legal casinos, which is why it is an outstanding destination.

FAQs

1. When will Wynn Al Marjan Island open?

The resort is scheduled to open in early 2027.

2. Will there be a casino at Wynn Al Marjan Island?

Yes, it will feature two gaming areas: a 224,000-square-foot main casino and a private Sky Casino on the 22nd floor, with a possible third gaming area.