Abu Dhabi’s entertainment scene is set to witness a new exciting addition with the announcement of a new casino. The casino, which may become the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, is an initiative of one of Las Vegas’ entertainment giants, MGM Resorts. According to reports, MGM Resorts is the first operator to confirm it has applied for a casino license in Abu Dhabi, but it is likely not alone in the race.
In a recent interview with the media on Thursday, the CEO of MGM Resorts, Bill Hornbuckle, stated that a proposal had been submitted to the government of the region to build a new casino in Abu Dhabi.
While speaking at the Skift Global Forum, Bill Hornbuckle remarked he was positive about the outcome of the proposal. He said: “Yes, we have. We have done it in Abu Dhabi. The way it will work is that the government of Abu Dhabi will approve it. We have applied for it and hopefully, we’ll win the license there. Each ruler has their city, their state. Each can say yes or no.”
He highlighted these to explain the approval process of the Abu Dhabi casino, implying that local governments have the final say in giving the go-ahead for issuing gaming licenses in their areas.
Not Alone in the Race for a License
The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) — the country’s federal regulatory entity for gaming — officially announced it was opening up the process for gaming licenses in July 2024. A competition for the available spots is expected, with MGM being one of many interested parties.
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An initial intake form and screening will precede the application for the full license to operate one of UAE’s first casinos.
Bill Hornbuckle’s former boss, Jim Murren, who was the CEO and chairman of MGM Resorts from 2008 to 2020, currently chairs the boards of directors of the GCGRA but is not part of the selection committee for issuing gaming licenses for UAE’s casinos.
MGM Resorts - The Las Vegas Giant Eyeing UAE’s Rising Gaming Sector
MGM Resorts is one of the leading players in Las Vegas’ entertainment industry. They own 12 remarkable properties on the Las Vegas Strip, including the iconic and widely popular Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Now, they’ve set their eyes on exploring the gambling opportunities with casinos in the UAE.
Despite announcing that it has applied for a license to operate a casino in Abu Dhabi, the group currently has no ongoing projects in the emirate. In 2006, MGM Resorts announced plans for a non-gaming project in Abu Dhabi that never took off. The group currently has an ongoing non-gaming project in Dubai.
The group’s CEO, Hornbuckle, has highlighted he would not be going into the Abu Dhabi business market without an operating license for a casino in the emirate since that’s MGM’s primary focus.
Another player of interest in UAE’s upcoming casino business is Wynn Resorts. With a whopping $3.9 billion resort on an island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Resorts is a foremost player and competitor for a casino license in the UAE. The island resort promises top-notch facilities and remarkable landmarks worth exploring. If you’re in the UAE looking to explore these beautiful landmarks, a super car rental in Abu Dhabi or other Emirates is ideal for the mesmerizing experience and views.
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Wynn expects to open its casino soon and recently hired a Vice President for its UAE casino operations. A spokesperson for Wynn Resorts was asked in July about applying for a gaming license and said they were reviewing the public information on the GCGRA website and would definitely adhere to the guidelines contained in it.
There’s healthy competition between the companies in the market for gaming licenses in the UAE. The casino in Abu Dhabi is probably set to become the UAE’s first casino if it gets ahead of Wynn’s Casino Resort in Ras Al Khaimah. With the GCGRA accepting proposals for gaming licenses, we’re set to witness a powerful wave of change in UAE’s gambling and entertainment industry.