Ras Al Khaimah is about to change. Not gradually - dramatically. The numbers coming out of development studies paint a picture that's hard to ignor
Ras Al Khaimah is about to change. Not gradually – dramatically.
The numbers coming out of development studies paint a picture that’s hard to ignore: population jumping from 400,000 to 600,000 over the next decade. That’s a 50% increase driven largely by one project.
Wynn Al Marjan Island topped out on November 30, 2025. The 70-story tower now stands 305 meters above the Arabian Gulf – the tallest structure in the emirate and visible from pretty much anywhere in RAK. Opening is locked in for April 2027.
The Casino That Changed Everything
When Wynn announced this $5.1 billion project, skeptics wondered if a casino could actually work in the Gulf region. Three years later, that question feels almost naive.
Property prices around Al Marjan Island jumped 21% in Q2 2025 alone. Across the emirate, apartments are up 18% year-over-year. Investors saw what was coming before the tower even topped out.
The resort itself is massive. We’re talking 1,542 rooms and suites, 22 restaurants, a superyacht marina with 101 berths for boats up to 85 meters, and 15,000 square meters of retail. Rolex already signed on as a tenant. There’s even a “sky casino” planned for the 22nd floor – something you won’t find in Vegas.
For the ultra-wealthy crowd, Wynn built “Enclave” – 313 private suites with their own entrance, pool, and beach access. Completely separate from regular guests.
Online casino Platforms Didn’t Wait
Here’s what most people missed while watching construction cranes: the UAE’s casino regulator moved faster on digital than anyone expected.
Two licensed platforms – Play 971 and TrueWin – launched as the first legal online casinos in the UAE just this week. No VPN needed. Regulated by the same GCGRA that licensed Wynn.
So while land-based casino gaming arrives in 2027, online is already live. Different approach than Vegas or Macau took – they built physical casinos first, digital came later. UAE flipped that script.
Jobs, Housing, and the Ripple Effect
The hospitality sector alone needs to create 25,000 jobs by 2030 to staff everything being built. And those workers need places to live.
Development consultancy Savills projects RAK’s residential inventory will double by 2030. That’s 45,000 new units just to keep pace with demand. RAK Central – an 8 million square foot development with 4,000 apartments and four hotels – already sold out every plot. New projects like Ola Residences at Al Marjan Island are breaking ground to meet the surge in demand.
“Visitors bring spending, spending drives construction, construction brings jobs, and jobs attract families,” explained Tariq Bsharat, Chief Strategy Officer at Marjan. “It becomes a virtuous cycle.”
Marjan isn’t slowing down either. They’re planning another master development bigger than Al Marjan Island itself, launching before year end.
More Resorts Coming
Wynn won’t be alone for long. Janu Al Marjan Island by Aman Group was announced last month – 132 rooms, opening 2028, directly across from Wynn.
There’s also the London connection. Wynn bought Aspinall’s casino in Mayfair earlier this year, rebranded it Wynn Mayfair. The strategy? Build relationships with British high-rollers now, then bring them to RAK once the resort opens. Smart.
The GCGRA has hinted each emirate could eventually receive one casino license. Abu Dhabi and Dubai remain possibilities, though nothing’s confirmed. For now, Wynn holds exclusive rights in RAK.
What Analysts Expect
Bloomberg Intelligence projects UAE casino revenue could hit $6.6 billion annually if multiple integrated resorts open. That would surpass Singapore.
Whether RAK alone can sustain that kind of number remains to be seen. But with population growth, job creation, and property values all moving in one direction, the emirate clearly isn’t betting small.
