MGM Resorts Pursues Casino License in Abu Dhabi, UAE

In an exciting move that underscores the expansion of the global gaming industry, MGM Resorts has officially applied for a casino license in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The announcement was made by MGM’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, during the highly anticipated Skift Global Forum 2024. As the first major Las Vegas-based company to confirm such an application publicly, MGM Resorts is hoping to pave the way for a new era of gaming in this Gulf region.

“Yes, we have applied. We’ve done it in Abu Dhabi,” Hornbuckle stated confidently. He further explained that while the approval process is overseen by the UAE’s federal government, it ultimately falls to each individual emirate to grant or deny casino operations. Currently, MGM Resorts has no operational hotels in Abu Dhabi, though they are advancing their presence in the region with a non-gaming resort development in Dubai. This ambitious project comprises three hotel towers with a total of 1,500 rooms, branded under the iconic names of Aria, MGM Grand, and Bellagio.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) opened proposals for gaming licenses in July, adding an element of optimism to MGM’s application process. The GCGRA, chaired by Jim Murren, Hornbuckle’s former boss at MGM, requires successful applicants to go through a preliminary intake form and screening before they can formally apply for a casino license.

Despite the competitive landscape with prominent contenders like Wynn Resorts making strides in the region, MGM Resorts remains confident. Wynn Resorts is developing a $3.9 billion resort on Al Marjan Island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, marking its own expansion into the UAE market. Although Wynn Resorts has not confirmed its gaming license application, the company’s CEO, Craig Billings, highlighted the UAE as an incredibly exciting new market for the industry.

Addressing the challenges and cultural considerations of expanding gaming operations in the UAE, Hornbuckle expressed his belief in the positive direction of discussions and developments. “There’s going to be something happening in Abu Dhabi; it’ll take some time to build,” he noted.

With Abu Dhabi and the broader UAE appearing poised for potential growth in the gaming sector, MGM Resorts is ready to be at the forefront, albeit awaiting the critical casino license approval. MGM’s CEO reiterated the company’s commitment by saying, “That’s the business MGM is in,” highlighting the company’s strategic approach to not pursue ventures in the region without such a license.

As the gaming landscape in the UAE continues to evolve, MGM Resorts’ bold application reflects not just a business ambition but a potential shift in regional tourism and entertainment. This application marks the beginning of a potentially exciting chapter for both MGM and the UAE’s hospitality industry.