Wynn Resumes Construction of the UAE’s First Casino Resort After a Brief Pause

US-based developer Wynn Resorts has resumed construction of its landmark integrated resort project in the UAE following a short pause.

The project, located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, is widely considered one of the most ambitious tourism and hospitality developments in the region.

According to the company, construction work has restarted and is continuing according to the long-term development schedule. The brief pause occurred amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have recently affected some business operations across the region. However, the continuation of the project highlights the resilience of long-term investments in the UAE and reinforces the confidence of international investors in the country’s economic stability.

One of the largest resort developments in the region

The project, known as Wynn Al Marjan Island, will mark Wynn Resorts’ first development in the Middle East and is expected to become one of the most prominent integrated resorts in the region. Total investment in the project is estimated at approximately $3.9 billion.

The resort will feature:

• a luxury hotel
• world-class restaurants and dining venues
• entertainment and leisure facilities
• retail areas
• beach clubs
• event and conference spaces
• a licensed gaming area (casino)

Once completed, the resort is expected to become the first casino resort in the UAE, representing a major milestone for the country’s tourism and hospitality sector. The development will also feature a signature tower expected to rise more than 300 meters, making it one of the most recognizable architectural landmarks on Al Marjan Island. The resort is currently scheduled to open in 2027.

A new stage in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism development

The Wynn project is widely viewed as a key driver of tourism growth in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing emirates in the hospitality sector. In recent years, the emirate has significantly expanded its tourism strategy, investing in large-scale resort developments and infrastructure to attract international visitors. The development of Al Marjan Island has already drawn strong interest from global hotel operators, developers, and investors.

The arrival of Wynn Resorts is expected to further strengthen the emirate’s positioning as a luxury tourism destination and stimulate additional development across the hospitality and real estate sectors.

Insight by A StandArt Real Estate

Large-scale tourism and entertainment projects often act as powerful catalysts for regional development. Dubai’s growth over the past decades has demonstrated that major resort developments can significantly increase tourism flows, accelerate infrastructure development, and boost investor interest in surrounding areas. 

Projects like Wynn Al Marjan Island have the potential to reshape local real estate markets by creating new lifestyle destinations and attracting global capital. The team at A StandArt Real Estate closely monitors such developments, as they often signal the emergence of new growth clusters and long-term investment opportunities across the UAE property market.