​Las Vegas-Style Island to Be Built in Dubai Without Casinos

The grand resort complex on The Island in Dubai will be left without a casino.

The grand resort complex on The Island in Dubai, whose central attractions will be the MGM, Bellagio and Aria hotels, will be without a casino, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle has announced.

The project, announced back in 2017, will cost US$ 2.5 billion. In total, Dubai's hotel stock will be replenished by 1,400 rooms thanks to the developer's new mega-project Wasl off the coast of Jumeirah. The developer has commissioned the construction of the island to the China National Engineering and Construction Corporation.

As is known, MGM Resorts is one of the leading operators of integrated resorts, including the world's largest hotel, the MGM Grand with 6,852 rooms in Las Vegas. The MGM Resort in Dubai is expected to consist of 1,000 rooms and 10 villas.

Like Las Vegas, the hotel will feature a similar water show, theater, restaurants, specialty shops, traditional and interactive museums, a beach club, and entertainment areas for adults and children.

Bill Hornbuckle had previously stressed that Dubai was planning to build a “non-gaming integrated resort,” but noted that his company was watching the development of the gaming industry in the region with great interest. Thus, according to him, Abu Dhabi, namely Yas Island, has the greatest chance of receiving a casino license.

In September 2023, the United Arab Emirates created a new federal body, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, which will develop a regulatory framework for the gambling and lotteries sector.

Kevin Mullally, who has 30 years of experience in national and international gambling regulation, has been appointed director general of the new agency. Abu Dhabi will oversee the agency's activities, but the rulers of the emirates will decide for themselves whether to allow gambling on their territory.

Casinos are currently banned in the UAE, but back in 2022, Wynn Resorts said it would build an integrated resort with a casino in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027.