According to William Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts International, the MGM tower in Dubai is now under construction and is scheduled to open in 2027.
“The building is due to be completed in the third quarter of 2027. We’re literally up on the fifth floor of the MGM tower as we speak. It’s an exciting project, a truly interesting resort with all kinds of features. Hopefully we’ll get to add gaming,” Hornbuckle said during the first quarter earnings call.
The US-based hotel and gaming operator said last month that it has “a non-gaming management agreement with Wasl Hospitality to bring the Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand brands to Dubai”.
In 2017, Dubai-based Hospitality and Leisure in Dubai advised the development of major destinations in Dubai and signed a contract with MGM Hospitality to run the resort.
The 26 hectares main development at the beach includes the MGM Hotel, MGM Residence, and the Bellagio Hotel, featuring the debut of the brand name MGM and Bellagio in the Middle Eastern region.
Last month, a high ranked MGM team including Dubai, Dubai and Chairman Paul Salem, as well as a high ranked MGM team including Sheikh Maktum bin bin bin Rashid Al Maktum, Dubai’s first deputy attorney general and VAE’s finance minister.
William said the key mission to visit Dubai was to discuss opportunities that MGM could bring to the UAE, especially Dubai and to update the government about “opportunities that we could bring to the UAE and Dubai specifically”.
Despite MGM’s non-gaming management agreement in Dubai, the UAE gaming sector is expected to grow to $3-$5 billion (Dh11 to Dh18.35 billion) in the coming years.
The multibillion-dollar Wynn Al Marjan, set to open near Ras Al Khaimah, will be the Middle East’s first integrated casino resort. The UAE regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), issued it a licence in October of last year.
Construction on Wynn Al Marjan is moving quickly, with one level being added each week. It is scheduled to open in early 2027.