Hornbuckle reaffirmed MGM’s commitment to the development but admitted that the final authorization from Dubai’s leadership remains pending.
MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle has acknowledged his surprise that Dubai has yet to decide whether its much-anticipated $2.5 billion beachfront resort will include a casino, even as construction on the project progresses steadily.
Hornbuckle reaffirmed MGM’s commitment to the development but admitted that the final authorization from Dubai’s leadership remains pending.
Waiting for Approval
The luxury resort is being built on a 10-hectare artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Khalifa. If licensed, it would feature three MGM hotel brands alongside a casino.
Speaking at a recent gaming industry conference, Hornbuckle said:
“I would have thought Abu Dhabi would have made a ruling by now. There’s been a lot of conversation around it.” (AGBI, Sept. 9, 2025)
Although the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to oversee gaming oversight, the ultimate decision rests with individual emirates. In Dubai’s case, Hornbuckle confirmed MGM and its state-backed partner Wasl are still awaiting Sheikh Mohammed’s approval.
“MGM and Wasl have been waiting for Sheikh Mohammed to say ‘go,’” Hornbuckle said. “The platform is ready, but we haven’t received formal permission. I don’t know when the decision will come, but I believe if this project gets a casino license—and I think it will—it represents a tremendous opportunity.”
Opening Timeline Pushed Back
Even without casino approval, the project has already slipped behind schedule. Originally slated for a 2027 completion, MGM has pushed the opening to late 2028, citing construction complexity and scale.
On the company’s Q2 earnings call on August 1, Hornbuckle confirmed the revised timeline:
“Progress in Dubai is accelerating, but we now expect a late 2028 opening.”
In May, Hornbuckle told investors the MGM towers were under full construction, already reaching their fifth floor. He described the project as “a very exciting resort, with a lot of features—hopefully including gaming.”
Regional Dynamics
Dubai is not the only emirate weighing casino development. Wynn Resorts, MGM’s Las Vegas rival, is building the $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, on track for a 2027 debut. Wynn CEO Craig Billings has hinted the venue may secure the UAE’s first and only casino license, giving it monopoly status in a market analysts estimate could generate $5–8 billion annually.
Wynn has also acquired an additional 70 acres of land in the UAE, fueling speculation about further expansion.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s gradual shift toward regulated gaming has attracted global attention. At this summer’s SiGMA Europe-Med conference, experts noted that GCGRA has already issued around 16 licenses, mostly to B2B suppliers and the national lottery. WH Partners UAE CEO Kate McCormick described the framework as “high-end, tightly regulated, and credible,” though with strict marketing restrictions for foreign entrants.
Oliver De Bono, CEO of Quantum Gaming, added:
“I absolutely believe the UAE is leading the way for the rest of the GCC region.”
Balancing Luxury with Uncertainty
The MGM project was initially structured under a non-gaming management agreement with Wasl Hospitality, ensuring its viability as a luxury destination regardless of licensing outcomes. Still, the potential casino approval remains the centerpiece.
Hornbuckle reiterated his optimism:
“We think this is a massive opportunity.” (AGBI)
