Wynn Resumes Construction on Al Marjan Casino in UAE, Despite Middle East Tension

^{Construction on Wynn Al Marjan was paused on February 28. The company has resumed progress on the project, though changes in the conflict could impede its 2027 projected opening. (Photo: Wynn Resorts)}

Wynn Resorts paused construction of its Al Marjan Island casino project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the end of February. Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the company says that construction on the project has resumed after the temporary pause.

The Las Vegas-based operator confirmed on Wednesday that development on Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE, is moving forward. But the regional conflict with Iran, Israel, and the US has disrupted shipping across parts of the region. 

In a press release on Wednesday, Wynn said it remains in contact with government officials while continuing to monitor the situation. The company said it is “in regular communication with the governments of the United States and Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE, so they can make informed decisions.”

So far in March, the UAE has been under significant, ongoing aerial attacks involving hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles from Iran. While UAE air defenses have intercepted the vast majority of these weapons, some have caused damage, with reports of military debris falling in areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Wynn Resorts plans to monitor developments in the Middle East and evaluate any potential impacts on the Al Marjan Island project.

“The company believes the broad defense posture of the UAE has worked extremely well, and we have confidence in the UAE's ability to keep its population safe,” Wynn said in a statement.

Workers Remain On Site, Shipping Delays Continue

According to Wynn, both business development activities and on-site construction are continuing as normal. The company states that it has implemented measures to protect staff working at the site, though specific details were not disclosed. 

“Our project construction has resumed following a short pause. Steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of all employees working on site,” the company said in a statement.

Executives and team members overseeing the project's architecture have also been able to consistently continue their work in person in Ras Al Khaimah. Employees were offered the opportunity to work abroad if their home embassies recommended it, but most have remained in the region.

During the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant, and Leisure Management Access Forum, held this week at the Encore (hear the webcast here), Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings addressed whether employees had returned home due to the recent attacks. According to Inside Asian Gaming, Billings said only 7 to 8% of the team working on the casino project returned to their home countries after recent attacks in the area.

Billings also discussed the status of construction materials currently being shipped to the UAE and whether it will need to use “alternative ports to source materials if necessary” as the situation develops. 

Regional tensions have already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important trade and energy corridors. On Wednesday, a projectile just struck and set fire to a container vessel near the strait about 46 kilometers northwest of Ras Al Khaimah.

It has also led to airspace closures in the UAE, affecting flights at both Dubai International Airport (an hour from Al Marjan Island) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. 

Despite those disruptions, Wynn executives seem confident the project will move forward as normal. J.P. Morgan analysts also added that if the situation stabilizes, the UAE could “embark on an aggressive marketing push to promote tourism to the region.”

Wynn Still Looking to Debut Casino in 2027

Wynn Al Marjan is one of the company’s biggest focuses right now, among its many other developments in the works. Once complete, Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to feature 1,530 hotel rooms, restaurants, a spa, entertainment venues, and a casino. This would be the first legal casino in the United Arab Emirates.

In a January construction update, Wynn said the construction on the resort tower had reached 299 meters to the 71st floor. All guest rooms, suites, and townhouses have been completed, along with the resort’s Marina Estates.

A residential community called Oasis is also under development and is expected to house up to 7,000 workers. Wynn has said that the project is scheduled to open this summer.

Wynn Resorts initially secured the country's first commercial gaming operator license in 2024, and the company confirmed last month that the resort is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027. 

Analysts at J.P. Morgan estimated the property could generate annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $500 million to $800 million. The firm also stated that Wynn could fill the new resort's rooms “almost entirely with their [existing] gaming database.” 

If everything is completed as planned, the project will be a major expansion of legal casino gaming in the Middle East.