Skift Take
Bill Hornbuckle predicts up to four UAE casinos will be licensed, he is hoping to be one of the chosen few, as are his rivals over on Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.
The CEO of MGM Resorts has shared his expectation that the UAE could greenlight up to four casinos, including one in his own development: The MGM in Dubai. Bill Hornbuckle said at the Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas this week that MGM is building a "podium and pedestal" that "could house a casino," on the island in Dubai.
Hornbuckle shared the news in response to a question about the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island - which has a confirmed casino but is yet to secure any kind of license. The $3.9 billion Wynn will be in Ras Al Khaimah, overseen by a new arm of the emirate's tourism authority called the Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation.
"Yes. We were there early. We have a project, now underway," Hornbuckle said at the conference. "This island has an MGM, a Bellagio, and an Aria on it. We're now building a podium and pedestal that could house a casino. We think there will be three or four [casinos] in the Emirates. It's up to each ruler to de