The Wynn effect: what the UAE's first casino resort means for Ras Al Khaimah property

What is Wynn Al Marjan Island?

Wynn Al Marjan Island is an integrated resort being built by Wynn Resorts on Al Marjan Island, a group of man-made islands off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah. In October 2024 Wynn announced it had received the first commercial gaming licence issued in the UAE.

The project is valued at about $5.1 billion. Its 70-storey tower has topped out at 283 metres, and the resort is planned to include 1,530 rooms and suites, 22 restaurants and lounges, entertainment, a beachfront and a casino. It is expected to create more than 9,000 jobs. Wynn has said it will open in 2027, and CBRE's latest report points to September 2027.

Why one resort matters so much

A resort on this scale doesn't just add hotel rooms. It gives people a reason to visit who would never have considered the emirate, and it pulls other investment in behind it.

You can already see that happening. Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, up 6%, and the government's target is more than 3.5 million a year by 2030. CBRE counts about 9,000 hotel rooms in the emirate today, with roughly 8,500 more planned between 2027 and 2030. More than 80% of that new supply is five-star, and close to two-thirds of it is on Al Marjan Island.

More visitors means more jobs, more people who need somewhere to live, more demand for short stays, and more reasons for international buyers to look at the area.

What has happened to prices so far

Prices on Al Marjan Island have moved ahead of the opening. Average apartment prices per square foot rose about 21% in 2025. CBRE's first-half 2026 figures show apartments on Al Marjan Island up 23.1% year on year, apartments across Ras Al Khaimah up about 18%, and apartment rents up 14.3%.

The top end has set records too. In the first half of 2026, a Sky Palace at Waldorf Astoria Residences sold for $35.4 million, the largest residential deal ever recorded in the emirate.

It hasn't all gone up in a straight line. CBRE noted that pricing and sales slowed from late February 2026, even though growth for the year stayed positive. That's a useful reminder that no market only goes one way.

The other side: supply and risk

When a landmark is announced, developers respond. More than 34,000 homes are expected to be handed over across Ras Al Khaimah between 2026 and 2030, around 10,000 of them branded residences. That's healthy for a growing destination, but it also means more competition for buyers and tenants when those buildings complete.

Before you buy anywhere near Wynn, be honest about a few things:

• Openings can slip. Plan your finances so a delay doesn't hurt you.
• Not every project is equal. Developer track record, build quality and service charges will separate good investments from average ones.
• Rental income isn't guaranteed. Many new units will compete for the same holiday guests and tenants.
• Exit matters. Think about who will buy your unit from you in five years, and why.

How I'd approach buying near Wynn

When I sit down with a buyer, I start with how they plan to use the property: a home, a holiday base or a rental investment. Each one points to a different kind of unit. Then I look at five things.

1. On the island or near it. Being on Al Marjan Island itself, within walking distance of beaches and new hotels, is a different proposition from a project a drive away.
2. The developer. Their delivery record matters more than the brochure.
3. Branded or not. A brand can support resale and rental demand, but you pay a premium. Make sure you know what the brand actually provides.
4. The payment plan. Line it up with the construction timeline and your own cash flow.
5. Running costs. Ask for service charges in writing, and work out what you'll earn after them.

Where Nasim Al Bahr fits

Nasim Al Bahr Residences is a waterfront development by ADNH on Al Marjan Island, the same island as Wynn. I'm an advisor with One Broker Group and hold exclusive inventory in the project. If you'd like availability, floor plans or pricing, I'm happy to walk you through it, along with the questions above.

This article is general information, not financial or investment advice. Property values can go down as well as up. Please take independent advice before you buy.