theme parks, and the Yas Marina Formula One Circuit.

Abu Dhabi is exploring the idea of opening a casino, with potential sites including Yas Island, known for its attractions like the Ferrari World, Warner Bros. While Dubai’s casino future remains uncertain, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have gained prominence as strong contenders in their own right. Other Emirates Have Launched Preparations The planned venue’s flexibility means the hospitality giant can swiftly adapt to an eventual green light and launch its gambling content. However, industry insiders agree that regulated gambling will come sooner rather than later, justifying MGM’s decision to proceed with its project. Such news presents a temporary setback for MGM, which has invested significantly in its planned venue.

However, a new Bloomberg report stated that Dubai had opted to delay the approval of casino gaming. The UAE announced the formation of its first gaming regulatory agency, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, signaling its changing attitudes. While the UAE has traditionally prohibited gambling under Sharia law, recent indications suggest a paradigm shift. The company is collaborating with Wasl Asset Management Group to create a high-profile venue with a flexible space of 150,000 square feet, awaiting the nod from the UAE leadership to introduce gaming into the mix. MGM Resorts International has long expressed an interest in Dubai, hoping that UAE’s number one tourist destination would finalize its plans to legalize casino resorts.

In collaboration with Wasl Hospitality and Leisure, MGM opened a branded hotel in Dubai in 2021 and has been closely monitoring the possibility of establishing a gaming regulatory framework. Dubai, the most ostentatious of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has postponed the approval of casino resorts, potentially dealing a temporary blow to MGM Resorts International’s regional ambitions.

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