Although Dubai is an emirate where most of the hotels linked to casinos are built, gambling is still illegal in the eyes of the law.

This means that resorts like the luxury five-star beachfront hotel and resort on Dubai's Bluewaters Island, owned by mogul Caesars Palace, do not provide their casino services in Dubai. The same goes for the MGM complex, which, although still under construction, has made it clear that it will also only have to provide hospitality services.

Meanwhile, the Wynn Resorts project in neighboring Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates, is preparing to open its doors to gambling. So can Dubai players enjoy the game at this resort, or are there other alternatives? Wynn Resorts to open in Ras Al Khaimah

One of the most famous hotel complexes based in Nevada has taken its first step to open a division in one of the seven UAE: Ras Al Khaimah. The forecasts for this complex are that it will be even bigger and more luxurious than the one in Las Vegas.

The idea of this venture is based on the fact that the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect place to create this resort. CEO Craig Billins stated: "Since it's a man-made island with no existing development, it's an incredibly flexible place to plan."

Announced in early 2022, the Wynn Resorts is expected to be developed around 2026. It will have more than 1,000 rooms, a shopping mall, spa, restaurants, lounges, and even an arcade.

Until now, Wynn Resorts has offered casino services to all of its customers. However, considering the strict gambling laws in the UAE region, there is still speculation as to whether this resort will open its doors to Dubai gambling enthusiasts.

Billings noted that the region is a "tremendous non-gaming luxury and leisure market," so coming up with a stand-alone casino can be challenging. In January 2022, both the Emirate and Wynn obtained a license to allow gambling, but whether it included gambling was not specified.

However, Billings noted that all of these issues would be addressed starting in 2023. Online gambling as an alternative Dubai is a country governed by Islamic rules, so gambling is illegal. Considering that gambling is considered a sin in Islam, all the countries in this region have put strict regulations and punishments regarding this matter.

However, there are still some exceptions. For example, in Dubai, horse racing is allowed; even the biggest equestrian tournament - the Dubai World Cup - is held here. When it comes to gambling, both land-based casinos and established online operators in Dubai are subject to these strict laws.

But, when it comes to online gaming on offshore sites, the situation is different, as playing here may be possible. Ethical standards aside, the legal framework does not extend to this section, meaning the laws cannot have the same restrictions on foreign-based operators that they allow Dubai players. 

Does gambling have a place in Dubai's future?

The statement by Issam Kazim, Dubai's top tourism official, that Dubai will not legalize gambling disappointed many gambling enthusiasts. However, not all hope is lost for those who want to enjoy the excitement of the game. While it's not yet clear whether Dubai players will be able to spin the reels at the 2026-opening Wynn Resort in Ras Al Khaimah, there are some alternatives in the form of online play.

Many online casinos accept players from Dubai as clients, giving them the same privileges as other players. What remains to be seen is whether Dubai is willing to fully open its doors to gambling. Some speculate that the Wynn Resort will make the entire UAE region more lenient on this issue, given the tourism it attracts. This, in turn, will cause Dubai officials to change their minds on such a decision.