MGM Resorts has become the first operator to confirm that they have applied for a casino license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with their CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, disclosing this information at the Skift Global Forum 2024. Despite not currently having any operating hotels in the country, MGM Resorts is the only operator to openly reveal that they have applied for the right to operate a legal casino in the UAE. The application has been submitted to the UAE government, specifically in Abu Dhabi, where the federal government oversees the approval process. Each ruler in the UAE has the authority to approve or reject such proposals, and MGM Resorts is hopeful that their application will be successful.
The process for obtaining a casino license in the UAE involves submitting a preliminary intake form and undergoing screening. Successful applicants will then be permitted to apply for a formal casino license. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is the federal entity responsible for gaming in the UAE and announced in July that it was accepting proposals for gaming licenses. Despite being the only operator to openly declare their application for a casino license in the UAE, MGM Resorts is likely not the only company interested in entering the country’s gambling market. It is expected that more operators will follow suit and submit their own applications in the near future.
MGM Resorts has its sights set on establishing a casino in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, despite not currently having any active projects in the city. The group had previously announced plans for a non-gaming project in Abu Dhabi in 2006, which ultimately never materialized. Hornbuckle emphasized that MGM Resorts would not pursue further development in Abu Dhabi without securing a casino license, as gambling is a core part of their business. Another major player in the UAE’s gambling industry is Wynn Resorts, which is more advanced in terms of physical construction progress, with a resort in Ras Al Khaimah slated to open soon.
Wynn Resorts is also gearing up to include a casino in their UAE resort and has recently appointed a VP of casino operations. However, the company has not publicly stated that they have started the process of obtaining a casino license. Both MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts acknowledge the cultural challenges associated with entering the UAE’s gambling market but remain optimistic about the potential for growth in the region. Despite the hurdles involved, the companies are determined to navigate through the regulatory requirements and cultural differences to establish a presence in the UAE’s burgeoning gambling industry.
The GCGRA’s board of directors is led by Jim Murren, MGM Resorts’ former chairman and CEO, who oversaw the company from 2008 to 2020. While Murren chairs the board, he is not involved in the selection committee responsible for approving gaming licenses. With the UAE government actively soliciting proposals for gaming licenses, operators like MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts are positioning themselves to capitalize on this opportunity and expand their presence in the region. As the first operator to publicly confirm their application for a casino license in the UAE, MGM Resorts is paving the way for others to follow suit and contribute to the development of the country’s gambling industry.
