Travel & Tourism

Why Has Gambling Been Prohibited in the UAE—And Why Is That Changing with Wynn Al Marjan?

Gambling has never been a part of life in the UAE. There aren’t neon-lit casinos along Sheikh Zayed Road or slot machines tucked inside luxury resorts. While that’s the case in many other parts of the world, Islamic law has prohibited games of chance (known as “maysir”) across the country. Given that Islamic principles dictate federal legislation, gambling has remained illegal since the UAE’s founding.

That’s why when Wynn Resorts made headlines for its venture into the UAE market, the news was met with both shock and speculation. The American hospitality giant quotes an investment of roughly $5 billion in the new, fully integrated casino resort on Al Marjan Island. The Wynn Al Marjan Island is set to open in 2027 and become the UAE’s first regulated casino.

So how did a country long associated with strict prohibition get here?

Why Games of Chance Are Prohibited in Islam

Islam plays a much different role in shaping society and legislation compared to religion in many other countries. Instead of having the country’s legal framework isolated from religion, it guides everything from public policy to social norms.

Gambling in the Context of Sharia Principles

Gambling falls under the umbrella of maysir, which are games of chance that involve risk and the possibility of zero financial gain. The Qur’an contains various verses that clearly prohibit gambling right alongside other activities Allah deems socially harmful. Maysir is positioned as something that encourages exploitation, creates financial instability, fosters addiction, and can harm both individuals and their families.

As Sharia principles influence federal legislation in the UAE, that belief has long been reflected in national law. Federal statutes don’t just ban gambling but criminalise it in all forms, including organising and facilitating it. That leaves very little room for ambiguity or leeway.

How the Ban Has Operated in Practice

Enforcement has been consistent across the Emirates. Although EmiratesCasino compares new online casinos in the region, no land-based casinos currently exist anywhere in the federation, which could come as a surprise to those familiar with Dubai’s luxury resorts or Abu Dhabi’s entertainment districts. There aren’t any lotteries, sports betting lounges, or gaming parlours, or even the occasional slot machine in any establishments. Even private poker games between friends fall within that scope. The line is hard and unforgiving, even against private gatherings involving gambling. For regulators, that has made the message loud and clear: there’s zero place for gambling within the economy.

Where Gambling Exists in the Region

Yet despite these extremely strict domestic bans, many citizens in the Gulf have found ways to enjoy gambling, just not within the UAE. Travelling has been the method of choice, as it allows them to access casinos while respecting local laws. And that shows that the demand for gaming has existed for decades but has not been accommodated.

Popular Gaming Hubs Near the Gulf

The Gulf is the perfect jumping-off point to visit other destinations in the area that permit legal gaming. For example, Lebanon’s well-known luxury experiences at the Casino du Liban and Egypt’s small but established network of casinos. Outside of the Middle East, European cities like Monaco and London provide the quintessential combination of hospitality and entertainment. For those who can afford the trip in cost and time, Las Vegas is popular for the full resort experience. On the other side of the Gulf, Macau and Singapore have become major destinations of choice for their world-class establishments.

The Grey Area of Gambling at Sea

Those who prefer to stay close to the UAE often look to cruises. Once cruises reach international waters, passengers can gamble legally while at sea. Residents and tourists can play without breaking any laws, choosing companies like Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean for their casino cruise options.

Why Ras Al Khaimah Can Chart Its Own Path

The UAE is often treated as a unified country, but each emirate has significant autonomy. Federal law might set out broad rules, but individual emirates have authority over many different areas. That’s precisely why Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) can differ from the UAE’s traditional approach to gambling and entertainment.

Autonomy Within a Unified State

Especially in sectors like tourism, business, and real estate, each emirate can set its own laws and policies. Since RAK is the smallest emirate, it has far less oil wealth than bigger ones like Dubai, which is why economic diversification is so important and pressing. RAK aims to differentiate itself to attract international visitors and new revenue streams.

Building a New Tourism Identity

RAK is lined with beautiful beaches and adventure tourism experiences, yet it has still struggled to compete with other established destinations. Wynn Al Marjan Island became the perfect vehicle for the emirate to stand out and offer something that neither Abu Dhabi nor Dubai did. With gaming facilities, luxury suites, delicious dining, buzzing nightlife, and stunning natural beauty, it can effectively position RAK as a destination in itself.

Establishing the island’s own gaming commission was the start of making all of it possible. Once that was set, Wynn Resorts was the first to be licensed by the local authority. As Wynn operates legally under RAK regulations, other emirates are watching closely to see whether similar frameworks will pop up elsewhere.

Economic Pressures and New Opportunities

The motivations behind introducing gambling to the region have mostly been about economic survival and staying competitive. Ras Al Khaimah’s new casino resort is a calculated strategy that works to differentiate itself and attract high-value visitors.

Expanding Beyond Traditional Tourism

Tourism in the UAE has flourished over the years, reaching $120+ billion in revenue, yet Dubai heavily dominates the market. 20 million annual visitors flock to the country, but RAK captures only a small fraction of that traffic. The new casino resort will give tourists a good reason to visit the emirate, especially big spenders and convention attendees. The resort is expected to create thousands of jobs and generate serious tax revenue to bolster the local economy.

Competing with Emerging Gulf Destinations

The Gulf is not a static region; it’s constantly expanding its tourism offerings. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has hosted major sporting and entertainment events, while Qatar invested billions in FIFA World Cup infrastructure. Meanwhile, Oman and Bahrain are also pushing to grow their tourism sectors. However, RAK doesn’t have as many resources, meaning it can’t rely solely on traditional revenue streams.

Various established markets have proved that gaming is a magnet for tourism, including Singapore’s integrated resort model. RAK is following suit, focusing on premium luxury to match the UAE’s high-end hospitality standards. With the Wynn Resort’s global credibility and expertise, the emirate is perceived as a serious international destination.

A New Chapter for the Region

Once the Wynn Al Marjan Island opens to the public, it’ll likely have ripple effects beyond the emirate. Because of its bold disruption, it could change tourism patterns, regional perceptions on entertainment and gaming, and economic development.

The project raises big questions about the future of gambling and entertainment in the UAE. Will this be a one-off development, or will other emirates follow RAK’s lead? Could it prompt broader liberalisation? Even with the RAK project underway, locals remain largely shielded from gambling, and international tourists are the primary audience. Although economic gains are the goal, they don’t come at the expense of cultural values.

From a tourism perspective, RAK is positioning itself as a potential gaming hub in the Middle East. The resort has the potential to attract millions of additional visitors and stimulate the region’s broader casino market. There is even the possibility of increased conference tourism and competition for high-value Asian players—though whether it can rival established markets like Macau or Singapore remains to be seen.