Dubai Casino: None Yet, but the UAE's First Opens in 2027

Dubai has a thriving economy and is known as a city that attracts many wealthy people. Many assume it must have casinos as well, but casinos are illegal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part.

That said, Wynn Resorts obtained a gaming license in the UAE in October 2024, and an integrated resort (IR) built around a casino is scheduled to open in 2027. This page explains the casino planned for the UAE and what may change once casino gambling is permitted.

What You Will Learn

• Gambling is prohibited under Islamic law.
• An integrated resort with a casino is scheduled for completion in 2027 in Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate not far from Dubai.

This article takes about 5 minutes to read.

There Are No Casinos in Dubai

Note: The information below is as of August 2026. Operating arrangements, entry requirements, age limits, accepted currencies and travel information may change, so check the official websites of each venue and your government’s official travel advice before you travel.

Gambling Is Prohibited Under Islamic Law

Islam generally prohibits gambling.

Islamic law forbids maysir, the term for gambling. (A related but separate concept, gharar, refers to excessive uncertainty in commercial transactions.) As a result, casinos are prohibited under UAE criminal law, so there is nowhere in Dubai to play casino games.

Online casinos are also prohibited in Dubai, so stay away from illegal casinos, whether land-based or online.

Horse Racing and Lotteries Are Government-Approved

Horse racing and lotteries are the exception: in Dubai, both are approved by the government. Betting on horse races is prohibited; instead, racegoers can enter competitions in which those who correctly pick the winning horse receive prizes such as cash or luxury goods.

Lottery prizes include cash as well as luxury cars and motorcycles. For the cash lottery, the odds of winning the $1 million first prize are reportedly 1 in 5,000.

Tickets for both are generally intended to be bought in person in Dubai. Check with a local outlet about whether you can buy tickets and on what terms.

Is the UAE Opening Up to Casinos? An Integrated Resort Is Being Developed in Ras Al Khaimah

The situation in the UAE is now about to change.

Wynn Al Marjan Island, Scheduled to Open in 2027

The UAE is made up of seven emirates. In one of them, Ras Al Khaimah, about an hour’s drive from Dubai, an integrated resort called Wynn Al Marjan Island is being planned. An integrated resort is, put simply, a hotel with a casino.

According to reports, the aim is to attract wealthy visitors and bring in foreign currency by targeting the resort at foreign visitors, who are not subject to Islamic law.

The resort is being developed by Wynn Resorts, which operates casino resorts in Las Vegas and Macau. Plans for an artificial island in Ras Al Khaimah include a 1,500-room hotel, a spa, a luxury shopping mall, a movie theater and other facilities.

The resort will also include a casino, and it is expected to become the first venue in the UAE where casino games can be played.

What to Expect Once Casinos Open in the UAE

The predictions below refer to the integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah, not to a casino in Dubai itself. Ras Al Khaimah also has laws prohibiting gambling, so the resort is unlikely to admit UAE citizens, and the general view is that the casino floor will be open only to foreign visitors.

Dubai is a major international destination with extensive flight connections and hotels, and Ras Al Khaimah is an easy drive from there. Safety conditions can change, so see the note above.

What Currency Will Be Used?

The currency used in Dubai is the UAE dirham (AED).

That said, integrated resorts in some countries, such as Vietnam, generally use US dollars rather than the local currency, and many shops in Dubai already accept US dollars. Lottery tickets, for example, can be bought in either dirhams or US dollars. For these reasons, both dirhams and US dollars are likely to be accepted at the resort.

In either case, your home currency is unlikely to be accepted directly, so it is safer to exchange your money for dirhams or US dollars before you go.

What Will the Minimum Age Be?

No minimum age has been announced for the resort yet, so the following is a prediction of the likely casino entry age.

In Dubai, the legal drinking age is 21. Some places, such as Las Vegas, South Korea and Monaco, set the casino age at the same level as the drinking age, while others set the casino entry age higher than the drinking age.

The casino entry age may therefore be set at 21. Elsewhere, the entry age generally ranges from 18 to 21, and given the UAE’s drinking age, 21 or older is the most likely outcome. Check the official announcement for the actual rules.

Which Games Will Be Offered?

In casinos around the world, slot machines and table games such as baccarat, roulette, blackjack and poker are popular, so these games are likely to be offered.

Poker in particular has a growing number of international tournaments, so the resort may include a poker room large enough to host them.

Since lotteries and horse racing are already government-approved, sports betting and keno may be introduced as well.

Countries with Casinos You Can Reach by Direct Flight from Dubai

If you would rather not wait for the integrated resort to open, the following two countries, both reachable by direct flight from Dubai, are options to consider.

In Egypt, there are casinos inside luxury hotels such as the InterContinental and the Sheraton. Before you travel, check your government’s official travel advice for the latest security information.

India also has casinos, but only in a few states, such as Goa. In Goa, you can play at floating casinos on board ships, a distinctive feature of the state’s casino scene.

Summary: The UAE’s First Casino Is Scheduled to Open in 2027, but Dubai Still Bans Casinos

Gambling has long been illegal in the UAE, including Dubai, but an integrated resort with a casino is now under construction in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, is scheduled to open in 2027. If the UAE’s first casino succeeds, casinos may eventually be allowed in Dubai as well.