MGM CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028 resort construction advances | Yogonet International
Author style: Punchy
Summary
MGM Resorts International has not yet received permission to operate a casino at its $2.5 billion integrated resort under construction in Dubai, CEO Bill Hornbuckle said. The company submitted a licence application to the federal General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in September 2024, but the ultimate decision rests with the rulers of each emirate and MGM is still waiting for a directive from Dubai’s leadership.
The resort is being built on a 25-acre artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Al Arab and will include MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria hotels and a 250,000-square-foot podium that was purpose-built to house a casino if authorised. Hornbuckle signalled confidence that a casino is likely over time and described the opportunity as “massive” if approved.
Competition is already emerging in the UAE: Wynn Resorts is preparing to open the country’s first casino in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027 and has expanded land holdings there, while analysts estimate the UAE gaming market could be worth between $5 billion and $8 billion annually. Sources indicate other operators may also obtain licences in the future.
Source
Key Points
- MGM has not yet received emirate-level permission to operate a casino at its Dubai resort despite submitting a licence application to the GCGRA in September 2024.
- The Dubai resort, on a 25-acre artificial island, is being built with MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria hotels and a 250,000 sq ft podium prepped for a potential casino.
- Final casino authorisation lies with individual emirate rulers; MGM is still waiting for an official directive from Dubai’s leadership.
- Wynn Resorts aims to open the UAE’s first casino in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027 and is expanding its land holdings there.
- Analysts project the UAE gaming market could generate several billion dollars annually and other operators may eventually receive licences.
Context and relevance
This update matters for investors, operators and suppliers tracking the rapid opening of the Gulf gaming market. While the GCGRA establishes a federal framework, local political consent remains decisive — a dynamic that will determine which companies can operate and when. The piece highlights both short-term uncertainty over regulatory approval and the long-term commercial potential as developers prepare infrastructure ahead of any official authorisation.
Why should I read this?
Short version: big resort is being built with a casino-shaped space, but the ruler of Dubai still needs to say yes. If you follow casino expansion, Gulf tourism or investment plays, this is worth your attention — there are timelines, competitors and big revenue estimates at stake. We saved you the skim: the infrastructure is ready, the licence isn’t.