The United Arab Emirates in the Middle East is considering granting casino licenses to each of the seven Emirates, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.
But while some Emirates may push ahead with casino development, one of them is Dubai, which already has a thriving international tourism industry, may "take the backseat" to its plans for the game complex, according to the same report.
The report suggested that senior officials in Dubai's government did not consider providing gambling a top priority. It did not provide a period for how long the casino concept could be shelved.
The UAE could attract $6.6 billion in gaming sales annually and eventually surpass Singapore, Bloomberg reports, citing the Bloomberg Intelligence division.
Bill Hornbuckle, chief executive and president of MGM Resorts International, the parent of MGM China Holdings Ltd., a Macau concessionary firm, said at an investment event last September that the company believed it would eventually be granted permission to operate casinos in Dubai. He did not reveal his itinerary.
Located north of Dubai in the emirate of Ras al-Kaima (pictured), the American casino company Wynn Resorts Ltd., the parent of Macao operator Wynn Macao Ltd, announced a $3.9 billion integrated resort plan that could open in 2027. The plan is known as Wynn Al Marjan Island.
Jim Muren, the former chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, was appointed as the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), called the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), in September. The alliance will regulate commercial games and be in charge of nationwide draws.
BY: 슬롯머신