Wynn Delays UAE Casino Opening Amid Iran Conflict Shipping Disruptions
Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings confirmed on Thursday that the company’s $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah will open later than its previously targeted first half of 2027, after shipping and logistics disruptions caused by the ongoing US-Iran conflict. During the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, Billings said the delay would be “modest” but declined to provide a revised timeline. The company expects to quantify the shift in the coming months.
Construction on the project, the first Las Vegas-style casino resort in the region, briefly halted after the conflict escalated but resumed in March 2026. More than 22,000 workers are currently on site, and Wynn’s operations, design, and development teams are embedded in the building.
Billings described the supply chain situation as manageable. “Deliveries have largely continued and we are re-routing shipments and sourcing alternative materials where needed based on conditions,” he said. “These challenges are manageable, though we are realistic that the picture could shift as the situation evolves.”
Located on Al Marjan Island roughly 50 miles from Dubai International Airport, the $5.1 billion resort is positioned as the first Las Vegas-style casino resort in the region. Billings maintained his long-term confidence in the market, citing the emirate’s airport capacity and tourism infrastructure as structural advantages that would attract high-net-worth visitors over time.
Wynn reported Q1 2026 revenue of $1.86 billion, a 9.2% year-on-year increase that narrowly beat analyst projections. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and rent rose 5.5% to $562 million, falling short of estimates.
💡 TGJ Take
A “modest delay” with no revised date creates planning risk for food and beverage operators, gaming equipment suppliers and staffing teams built around a H1 2027 go-live. Wynn still signals confidence in the project, but the Iran conflict adds a variable it cannot control. Suppliers and operators planning UAE market entry should keep Al Marjan in the 2027 plan while adding schedule contingency now.
