Operator News
Dubai – MGM’s CEO highlights potential of Dubai casino during G2E conference
By Phil - 16 October 2023
Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts, believes that the United Arab Emirates could introduce up to four casino licences with MGM eyeing possibilities to bring gaming to the MGM Dubai in the region.
Speaking at the Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas last week, Mr Hornbuckle said MGM was developing a ‘podium and pedestal’ that ‘could house a casino,’ in Dubai.
The $3.9bn Wynn Al Marjan Island is of course currently being built but has yet to be officially granted its gaming licence. However, with the setting up of the Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation, that is only a matter of time.
Speaking of the region and a sreported by Skift, Mr Hornbuckle said: “We were there early. We have a project, now underway. This island has an MGM, a Bellagio, and an Aria on it. We’re now building a podium and pedestal that could house a casino. We think there will be three or four in the Emirates. It’s up to each ruler to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it.”
“I’d love to be in Dubai with a casino, but one step and one day at a time. We’re very progressive and excited by what could happen there,” he added. “As it relates to Dubai, that property continues to evolve. We’re the managers, but the owners want to upgrade the property, I think, with gaming in mind. But it’s up to Abu Dhabi and the national government to ultimately decide. We’re hoping ‘any day.’ But I have to believe as the summer fulfills itself, we’ll hear more news on that.”
The MGM in Dubai was first announced in 2017. The original scope included two million square feet of built-up space, an MGM Hotel, MGM-branded residences and a Bellagio-branded hotel containing a total of 1,000 rooms and 10 villas. There was also said to be a 500,000-sq-ft theatre, a range of restaurants, museums, a major beach club and adventure zones for both adults and children.
A survey by Knight Frank pf HNWI found that 59 per cent think a casino will open in Abu Dhabi, 58 per cent believe Dubai will open one and 48 per cent think other emirates will open one.
In August, CEO of Wynn Resorts Craig Billings said: “There may be conversations in other Emirates about legalisation or legalisation at the federal level, thereby covering all Emirates, I expect that we will have our license for Ras Al Khaimah actually imminently.”
