List of Casinos in Dubai

List of Casinos in Dubai – Visitors searching for casinos in Dubai are often surprised by the answer. Despite Dubai’s reputation for luxury hotels, international tourism and world-class entertainment, there is currently no licensed land-based casino operating in Dubai.

However, the gaming landscape in the United Arab Emirates is changing. Commercial gaming is now regulated at federal level by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), and the UAE’s first licensed land-based gaming resort is under development in Ras Al Khaimah.

This guide explains which casinos actually exist, where the first licensed UAE casino will be located, and how the new regulatory framework affects online gaming.

List of Casinos in Dubai

If you are looking specifically for licensed land-based casinos within the city of Dubai, the current list is very short:

Licensed land-based casinos currently operating in Dubai: None.

Dubai has many luxury resorts, nightclubs, restaurants and entertainment venues, but these should not be confused with licensed casinos.

Hotels and resorts in areas such as Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and Bur Dubai may offer extensive entertainment facilities, but this does not automatically mean they are authorised to provide commercial casino gaming.

This is an important distinction when searching for a Casino in Dubai.

Are There Any Licensed Casinos in the UAE?

Yes. The situation has changed significantly following the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.

The GCGRA is the federal authority responsible for regulating commercial gaming in the United Arab Emirates. Its responsibilities include:

• Land-based gaming facilities
• Internet gaming
• Sports wagering
• Lottery activities

The GCGRA publishes an official list of licensed commercial gaming operators.

At present, Wynn Al Marjan in Ras Al Khaimah is listed as the UAE’s land-based gaming facility licensee.

It is important to note that Ras Al Khaimah is a separate emirate. Wynn Al Marjan should therefore not be described as a casino in Dubai.

Wynn Al Marjan Island – The UAE’s First Licensed Casino Resort

The biggest development in the UAE gaming industry is Wynn Al Marjan Island.

The integrated resort is currently under construction on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

The project is expected to include:

• More than 1,500 hotel rooms
• Luxury villas
• More than 20 restaurants and lounges
• High-end retail
• Meeting and convention facilities
• Nightlife and entertainment
• A beach club
• Approximately 225,000 square feet of gaming space

The resort is currently expected to open in September 2027.

Although it is outside Dubai, Wynn Al Marjan Island represents a major change for the UAE tourism and entertainment industry and will be particularly relevant for visitors travelling through Dubai.

Dubai Casinos vs. Ras Al Khaimah Casino

The geographical distinction is important.

Dubai: There is currently no GCGRA-listed land-based casino.

Ras Al Khaimah: Wynn Al Marjan Island holds a land-based gaming facility licence and is currently under development.

This means searches for “Dubai casino”, “casinos in Dubai” or “list of casinos in Dubai” should not be interpreted as evidence that physical casino gambling is currently available in Dubai.

For more background, see our guide Are There Casinos in Dubai?.

What About Meydan and Dubai Horse Racing?

Meydan Racecourse is one of Dubai’s most important sporting venues and hosts the famous Dubai World Cup.

However, Meydan Racecourse is not a casino.

Horse racing and commercial gaming should not be confused. Sports wagering is now one of the categories regulated by the GCGRA, alongside internet gaming and land-based gaming facilities.

Readers interested in racing can find additional information in our Dubai Horse Racing guide.

What About Casino Cruises in Dubai?

Older websites sometimes list cruise ships or entertainment vessels as “Dubai casinos.”

This can be misleading.

A cruise ship visiting Dubai should not automatically be described as a licensed Dubai casino. Gambling activities aboard cruise ships depend on applicable maritime rules, the ship’s location and the laws governing the activity.

For this reason, cruise ships should not be included in a current list of licensed casinos in Dubai unless there is clear regulatory evidence supporting that classification.

Online Casinos and Dubai

Online gaming requires the same careful legal distinction.

The UAE now has a regulatory category for Internet Gaming. This includes online casino games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker.

However, an international gaming licence from another jurisdiction does not automatically authorise an online casino to operate within the UAE.

Only operators holding the appropriate UAE commercial gaming licence are authorised to conduct commercial gaming within the country.

The GCGRA currently lists Coin Technology Projects LLC as an Internet Gaming licensee.

Players should therefore distinguish between:

• an internationally licensed online casino, and
• an operator licensed to provide commercial gaming within the UAE.

These are not the same thing.

For additional information, see our Online Casino in Dubai guide.

How to Check Whether a UAE Casino Is Licensed

The safest way to verify a gaming operator is to check the official GCGRA list of licensees.

The GCGRA is the sole federal authority authorised to issue commercial gaming licences in the UAE.

Its published licensee list covers land-based gaming, internet gaming, sports wagering, lottery operations and gaming-related vendors.

A casino holding a licence from another country should not be described as “UAE licensed” unless it also holds the appropriate licence issued by the GCGRA.

List of Casinos in Dubai – Current Overview

As the UAE gaming industry develops, the distinction between Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates is becoming increasingly important.

Dubai: No licensed land-based casino is currently listed by the GCGRA.

Ras Al Khaimah: Wynn Al Marjan Island is licensed as a land-based gaming facility and is expected to open in 2027.

UAE online gaming: Internet gaming is now a regulated category and requires an appropriate GCGRA licence.

The situation may continue to evolve as the UAE develops its regulated commercial gaming industry. Readers should therefore check current regulatory information rather than relying on older casino lists.

List of Casinos in Dubai – The Bottom Line

For anyone searching for a List of Casinos in Dubai, the most important fact is simple: there is currently no licensed land-based casino operating in Dubai.

The UAE’s first licensed integrated gaming resort is Wynn Al Marjan Island in neighbouring Ras Al Khaimah, with an expected opening in 2027.

Dubai itself remains one of the world’s leading luxury tourism and entertainment destinations, but hotels, racecourses, cruise ships and entertainment venues should not be described as Dubai casinos unless they have the appropriate gaming authorisation.

The UAE gaming market is changing, so this page will be updated as new licences and regulated gaming developments are announced.

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Legal notice: Commercial gaming in the UAE is regulated by the GCGRA. Participation through unlicensed gaming operators is illegal in the UAE. Gambling laws also vary internationally, and readers should always check and comply with the laws applicable in their location.