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Casinos in Dubai Possible? – Experts Think So

Experts think casinos in Dubai could be a reality soon. Currently, the Islamic city bars all forms of gambling, and therefore, there are no Dubai casinos. Dubai and the UAE have long been favourite tourist destinations, with the uber-rich and the high-heeled routinely jet-setting there to enjoy some quality downtime. UAE, of which Dubai is the capital,  offers the epitome of luxury, comfort, and exotic experiences to those who can afford it. Experts think that a current policy change might add the casino experience to what UAE and Dubai already offer, making a list of the best Casinos in Dubai not just a dream but a reality. With everything going on, who knows, a news article about Dubai Casino Atlantis could be something that we read soon.

The UAE recently approved a lottery license for an Abu Dhabi-based company. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the country’s inaugural gaming regulatory body, granted the license. The authority is chaired by former MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murrey.

This, against the backdrop of Wynn Resorts, which already has luxury hotels and casinos in Las Vegas building a resort worth $4 billion near Dubai, has experts thinking that Dubai could become the ‘Las Vegas of the Middle East’. CBRE Institutional  Research analyst John DeCree noted that in a recent research paper. 

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Also Read: Dubai Launches Long-Term Gaming Visa 

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Why Casinos in Dubai Don’t Exist?

UAE has been a complex country when it comes to gambling. The desert country has strict Sharia laws, which deem gambling illegal. In Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other places, even online gambling apps are blocked. In light of this, the lottery license is a major development. However, one should keep in mind that Sharia laws have a religious aspect, so bringing about any change in them takes decades.  For example, driving was banned for women in neighboring Saudi Arabia, something that was overturned by Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud only in 2017, and new guidelines were implemented in 2018. 

UAE casino operator #Wynn Resorts has acquired an additional 70 acres of land on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island, reinforcing its commitment to the project and signalling its intentions for future expansion. Read more: https://t.co/2qzTQXzyJn

— ArabianBusiness.com (@ArabianBusiness) August 8, 2024

Saudi Arabia has seen some changes. The Rulers have said that he plans to make Saudi one of the top tourist locations in the world. The media industry has also gotten a boost, with live wrestling events held in Saudi Arabia regularly. However, at the time of writing, both live poker and online poker don’t exist in Dubai. 

The country, one of the richest in the world, is not just a popular tourist hub but a great business locale as well. The oil-rich country sees some of the biggest names investing in businesses and has a vibrant population of expatriates who might just be missing their favorite casino games.

Can there be Dubai casinos in the future?

Dubai also has the strictest law enforcement agencies, which ensure crackdowns on illegal activities. Expats face the risk of deportation. The country has been in the headlines for its stand on feminism and other liberal issues. So, while the lottery license is good news, it remains to be seen whether Dubai will go the whole mile and whether we will see live poker rooms in the area soon. 

Right now, the existence of even a Dubai airport casino seems far-fetched. Traditionally, countries allow some leeway at their international airports. For example, Dubai has its famous Duty-Free shops at the airport. There could be some more online conversations when the Wynn casino opening date is announced – but until then, it’s just conjecture. 

FAQs about Dubai Casinos:

 

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