Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is firmly advancing its transformation into a leading tourist hub in the United Arab Emirates, driven by massive infrastructure investments and the development of the country’s first integrated casino resort, scheduled for March 2027.
Read also: European temples of chance
The emirate projects extraordinary visitor growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.8% that would increase the figure to 5.3 million by 2030. Overnight guests would reach 9.6 million in the same year, according to data from the RAK Centre for Statistics and Studies presented this week to analysts and investors.
Hotel Expansion: 8,800 Rooms by 2030
This tourism expansion in the United Arab Emirates is supported by significant investment in the hotel sector. The room supply will grow to 8,800 in the next five years, with four and five-star establishments representing 91.7% of the total. Alison Grinell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holdings, the state hotel developer, confirms that the supply of high-category hotels will increase by 134% by 2030.
Real Estate Boom on Al Marjan Island
The real estate dynamism in the United Arab Emirates reflects this trend. Land prices on Al Marjan Island, the location of the future integrated resort, have nearly tripled since 2021. The average price per square foot jumped from $86 in 2022 to $207 in September 2024, with 22 purchase and sale transactions last year.
This boom has attracted new hotel projects, including a JW Marriott, a Nikki Beach resort, a Fairmont hotel, and most recently in November, the Janu Al Marjan Island resort, announced by Marjan, the master development partner.
First Casino in the United Arab Emirates
The resort, which will open in 2027, will be the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates after obtaining the country’s initial land-based casino license in October 2024, granted by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). According to regulations, each emirate can offer such a license, although Sharjah has decided not to do so.
Gaming Market Projections: Up to $5 Billion
The gaming industry in the United Arab Emirates presents ambitious projections. Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) could reach between $2 billion and $5 billion once two additional integrated resorts are established in the country. The operator of the first resort expects to maintain a 33% market share, with revenues of up to $1.7 billion.
Read also: Dominican Republic promotes regulation of casinos on cruise ships
Estimates place GGR per adult at $180, just below Las Vegas’s $211. As a percentage of GDP, the United Arab Emirates would surpass the United States with 0.94% compared to 0.29%.
Progress in Integrated Resort Construction
The integrated resort is progressing on schedule. Exterior development is mostly complete, including 70% of the facade glazing. The interior phase will begin soon, with a pre-opening scheduled between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.
Infrastructure and Connectivity to Boost Tourism
Regional infrastructure is also growing. Ras Al Khaimah plans to expand its road network and local airport terminal, in addition to new transport links, schools, and housing. A new tourist zone called RAK Central will play a key role in the emirate’s development as a tourist destination, following the model of neighboring Dubai.
Online Gaming Ahead of Land-Based Licenses
While land-based licenses advance cautiously, the online sector in the United Arab Emirates is moving faster. The Game LLC, an Emirati lottery operator, received the first online license in July 2024. Momentum launched iGaming in Abu Dhabi in November through its brand Play971, although some sources suggest it is operating a limited test implementation before an official launch planned for the first quarter of 2026.
International operators like MGM Resorts have expressed interest in obtaining remaining licenses, but the regulatory process is moving deliberately. The GCGRA maintains its commitment to rigorous compliance standards, prioritizing quality over speed in the sector’s expansion.
