Wynn Al Marjan tower reaches 61st floor, eyes March 2027 launch: Marjan CEO | AGB
Summary
The Wynn Al Marjan resort in Ras Al Khaimah has reached the 61st floor of its planned 70-storey tower as of August, with Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli confirming the project remains on schedule for a March 2027 opening.
The multi-billion-dollar development is a joint venture between Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding and will be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa after Wynn secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator licence in 2024. Built on a 60-hectare island extending into the Arabian Gulf, the resort will offer 1,542 hotel rooms, more than 22 dining and lounge outlets and extensive gaming and non-gaming amenities.
Marjan expects the resort to support Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism push — helping to hit a target of 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030 — and to spur nearby residential and business development. Recruitment is already under way, with Wynn reporting 80 employees onboarded in April and listings showing 78 open roles as of 21 September; the company aims for around 300 staff by year-end. Wynn CEO Craig Billings has estimated the UAE gaming market could be worth up to $5 billion.
Key Points
- The tower has reached the 61st of 70 storeys and construction is reportedly on schedule.
- Projected opening: March 2027, per Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli.
- Joint venture: Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.
- First integrated gaming resort in MENA following Wynn’s 2024 commercial gaming licence in the UAE.
- Site: a 60-hectare island in the Arabian Gulf; 1,542 rooms and 22+ dining/lounges planned.
- Economic impact: expected to boost tourism to 3.5 million annual visitors for Ras Al Khaimah by 2030 and drive local residential and business demand.
- Recruitment: Wynn has onboarded staff and aims for roughly 300 employees by year-end; 78 vacancies listed as of 21 Sept.
- Strategic signal: land has reportedly been set aside for a second integrated resort, indicating a long-term gaming hub strategy in Ras Al Khaimah.
Context and relevance
This development is a major milestone for the UAE and the broader MENA region: it marks the commercial emergence of large-scale integrated resorts with gaming at their core. For stakeholders in hospitality, real estate, tourism and gaming, Wynn Al Marjan reshapes competitive dynamics across the Gulf — potentially diverting visitor flows, investment and talent. It also signals regulatory and market openness to casino-led resort models in the Emirates, with likely spillovers into infrastructure, housing and job creation locally.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you follow Gulf tourism, casinos, or big-ticket real estate, this is one to skim. It’s the first of its kind in the region, on schedule for 2027, and it’s already shifting hiring and development plans in Ras Al Khaimah — which matters if you track market moves or investment opportunities. We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to.
Author’s note
Punchy take: this isn’t just another hotel — it’s a strategic bet by a Las Vegas and Macau heavyweight to create a UAE casino hub. Expect economic ripple effects and more land moves from Wynn if the first resort delivers.
