MGM, the famous Las Vegas casino group, has officially announced its intention to open a casino in Abu Dhabi. The MGM Group's license application was made official in mid-September by the CEO himself, Bill Hornbuckle.
MGM wants its own casino in Abu Dhabi
Owner of the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas, the MGM Group has every intention of opening a casino in Abu Dhabi. And it's making it known! Over the past few days, the Group has stepped up its official communications, informing the general public that it has submitted its license application to the Abu Dhabi authorities. While the legislation surrounding gambling in the Emirates is now in place, each Emirate then decides whether or not to grant licenses.
The rivalry between MGM and Wynn reaches the Emirates
The Wynn Group has already made good progress in Ras Al Khaimah. Construction is proceeding apace, and opening by 2027 seems entirely plausible. Officially, however, Wynn Resort has yet to submit a formal license application, although there's little suspense. As for the MGM Group, it has already positioned itself in Dubai, with the construction of The Islands complex, which will house three luxury hotels (Bellagio, Aria and MGM), as well as the Sphere, a huge ball-shaped auditorium covered with an immense high-definition screen. With the addition of a planned site in Abu Dhabi, it goes without saying that the investments targeted by these two giants of the gambling industry promise to be huge. It should also be remembered that the two groups are competing in the United States, of course, but also in Macau.
Should you still invest in Ras Al Khaimah?
Those who think that the only casino in the Emirates will be in Ras Al Khaimah are certainly mistaken. Officially, casinos can open in all 7 emirates. The MGM Group knows what it's doing, and in fact its former CEO heads the current UAE Gaming Regulatory Authority. Casinos could well be announced in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out. If you are considering investing in Ras Al Khaimah, we invite you to contact a member of the Dubai Immo team, who will be happy to provide you with the latest information on casino developments in the Emirates.