Wynn Resumes Construction at UAE Casino Site
Posted on: March 13, 2026, 01:16h.
Last updated on: March 13, 2026, 01:16h.
- Construction at Wynn Al Marjan Island resumed following a brief halt caused by Iranian attacks on UAE resorts
- Wynn says it’s in regular contact with the US and UAE governments
Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) said earlier this week that construction at the site of its casino resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) resumed following a short pause caused by Iranian attacks targeting a pair of UAE hotels.
In partnership with local entities, Las Vegas-based Wynn is building a $5.1 billion casino resort in Ras Al Khaimah, which is in close proximity to Dubai where Iran struck two hotels. The gaming company has been allowing staff to work from home or to return to their home countries and work from there.
The Wynn Design and Development team overseeing the construction, architecture, and design of project, and the resort executive team leading operational strategy and planning, have been able to continue their work in a consistent manner,” said the casino operator in a statement. “Wynn employees have been offered the opportunity to work from abroad, if their home embassy recommends they do so.”
Shares of Wynn are off 10% over the past month — the period including US and Israeli military offensives against Iran. However, sentiment among sell-side analysts indicates that sell-off is overdone and that the UAE venue remains an important long-term catalyst for Wynn.
Geopolitical Events Put Wynn UAE Casino in Spotlight
Wynn Al Marjan is the first regulated gaming venue in the history of the Middle East and its proximity to Dubai, which possesses a combination of vast local wealth and status as being a prime destination for affluent international tourists, is viewed as compelling for the resort’s long-term trajectory.
That location cuts both ways as has been seen amid conflict in Iran. On Feb. 28, Iranian forces struck the Burj Al Arab hotel and the Fairmont The Palm Hotel, both of which are five-star resorts located in Dubai. Wynn is constructive on UAE’s efforts to keep its citizens safe.
“The Company continues to be in regular communication with the governments of the United States and Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, so that we can make informed decisions,” said the operator in the press release. “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.”
Looking further out, analysts remain bullish on the UAE casino opportunity set — one that Wynn will have a monopoly on for several years. Some estimates indicate the country could become a $3 billion to $5 billion gross gaming revenue (GGR) market in the future, assuming other integrated resorts join Wynn Al Marjan Island.
Currently, only Macau, Las Vegas, and Singapore notch those levels of GGR, indicating that when the UAE casino market ramps up, it could become one of the largest in the world.
Business as Usual in UAE
The Iranian attacks on UAE assets are unnerving and not to be taken lightly, but the US government estimates Iran’s ability to launch missiles is being rapidly depleted. There’s also some sense of a return to normalcy in the UAE.
“We note that for broad segments of the local population, business continues to follow normal patterns,” adds Wynn. “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.”
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