Content Writer: Janice Chew • Wednesday, 25/09/2025 - 22:58:44 - PM
MGM Resorts continues to advance its ambitious $2.5 billion Dubai beachfront resort, strategically anchored by the iconic Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand brands. However, the project currently lacks approval for its gaming component—a casino license that remains pending. Speaking candidly, CEO Bill Hornbuckle shared his surprise:
“I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing,” he remarked, underscoring the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the resort’s casino operations. “There’s a lot of dialogue around that.”
Despite the delay, Hornbuckle remains upbeat about the resort’s long-term prospects. He reaffirmed MGM’s confidence in the project’s potential, noting that the 250,000-square-foot casino podium is already constructed, poised for immediate activation upon approval. “We don’t have permission yet from the ruler of Dubai to go forward,” he explained, “but I do believe this […] If this gets a casino, and I believe it will over time, we think it’s a massive opportunity.”
Originally slated to open in 2027, the project’s launch has since been pushed to the second half of 2028—a delay driven by both construction logistics and regulatory complexities. Hornbuckle noted that construction is progressing steadily: “Progress in Dubai has also started to gather steam with an expected opening date of the second half of 2028.”
This request for a casino license wasn't new: in fact, MGM submitted its application to the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in September 2024. As Hornbuckle previously explained at the Skift Global Forum, “Yes we have [applied]. We’ve done it in Abu Dhabi… Each ruler has their city, their state. Each can say yes or no.” Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts is also pressing forward; its Al Marjan Island development in Ras Al Khaimah is expected to open in 2027, potentially positioning Wynn as the first casino operator in the UAE.
Beyond Dubai, MGM's global growth strategy spans several regions. At the Bank of America Gaming & Lodging Conference, Hornbuckle reaffirmed the company’s worldwide focus—including major projects in Osaka, Brazil, New York, and more. Notably, in Osaka, MGM is developing a massive integrated resort with thousands of rooms, hundreds of gaming tables, and expansive convention space, aiming for a 2029–2030 opening.
