MGM Resorts International, a leading US-based hotel and entertainment operator, has applied for a gaming license in the UAE, signaling a potential expansion of its operations into the region. The company has submitted its application in Abu Dhabi, with the approval currently pending from federal authorities.
Speaking at the Skift Global Forum 2024, MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed the move, expressing optimism about the application’s outcome. If approved, MGM would establish one of the first gaming resorts in the UAE, following closely behind Wynn Resorts, another American operator that is set to open a gaming resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.
In September 2023, the UAE laid the groundwork for the commercial gaming sector by establishing the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This body was created to oversee the introduction of regulated gaming activities, promoting a socially responsible framework and setting stringent operational standards for any entities entering the market.
As part of its regulatory duties, the GCGRA has already issued the first license for a UAE-based lottery operation. Should MGM’s application be approved, it would mark a major milestone in the UAE’s evolving hospitality and entertainment landscape, potentially unlocking significant economic opportunities.
MGM’s entry into the UAE would further cement the region’s growing appeal as a luxury and entertainment hub, with the company poised to play a key role in shaping the future of gaming in the Middle East.
