MGM Resorts has confirmed that it is the first major casino operator to apply for a gaming license in the UAE, as the country prepares to open its doors to regulated casino gaming.
This development positions MGM at the forefront of the growing gaming sector in the Middle East, particularly in Abu Dhabi, where the application was submitted.
MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle made the announcement during the Skift Global Forum 2024, marking the first public confirmation from a major casino operator regarding the UAE’s gaming license application process. MGM Resorts, renowned for its luxury hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and beyond, has yet to establish any operational properties in Abu Dhabi, but its ambitions are clear.
"Yes, we have [applied]," Hornbuckle confirmed when asked about the casino license during the forum. "We've done it in Abu Dhabi." He explained that the process involves the UAE's federal government, specifically in Abu Dhabi, approving the license.
"Each ruler has their city, their state. Each can say yes or no," he added. MGM now awaits the outcome of the application and hopes to receive clarity by the end of the year regarding the federal mandate.
The application follows the UAE’s decision in July to allow proposals for gaming licenses under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body responsible for regulating gaming activities in the country.
The GCGRA, chaired by Jim Murren, Hornbuckle’s former colleague and ex-CEO of MGM Resorts, announced a formal process for applicants, including an initial intake and screening phase before moving on to full casino license applications.
MGM Resorts is not alone in pursuing the UAE’s emerging casino market. Wynn Resorts, another global gaming giant, is further along in its development, having already broken ground on the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates. However, Wynn Resorts has not yet openly stated whether it has applied for a casino license, despite significant progress on its resort, which will include a gaming facility.
In a July statement, a Wynn spokesperson noted, “We are reviewing the public information on the [General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority] website and will of course adhere to the instructions and directives it contains.” Recently, Wynn hired a VP of casino operations, indicating its gaming ambitions in the region.
Hornbuckle acknowledged Wynn’s progress but remained optimistic about MGM’s chances in Abu Dhabi. “There’s a cultural barrier to get through, but that has now happened," he said. "There’s going to be something happening in Abu Dhabi, it’ll take some time to build. Wynn is already out of the ground.”
While MGM Resorts has applied for the license, the company currently has no operational projects in Abu Dhabi. MGM had previously announced plans for a non-gaming resort in Abu Dhabi in 2006, but that project did not materialize. MGM’s only active development in the UAE is a non-gaming project located offshore in Dubai.
Hornbuckle made it clear that MGM's future in Abu Dhabi hinges on securing a casino license. "I wouldn't go into Abu Dhabi again without a gaming license," he said, emphasizing that casino gaming is the core of MGM’s business model.
The UAE’s decision to regulate gaming is viewed as a significant opportunity for global casino operators, particularly given the country’s wealthy population and growing tourism sector.
Analysts believe the UAE has the potential to become a lucrative market, with estimates suggesting annual gross gaming revenues (GGR) could reach between $3 billion and $5 billion once casinos are fully operational.
With its strategic location, Abu Dhabi offers access to a population of 10 million people, with a high per capita income. The favorable tax environment in the UAE also makes it an attractive market for major gaming operators seeking expansion.
As the first major player to confirm its license application, MGM Resorts is positioning itself as a leader in the UAE’s emerging gaming landscape. Whether the company will ultimately be granted the license remains to be seen, but the stakes are high, and the potential rewards could reshape the region’s tourism and entertainment sectors for years to come.
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