Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah have confirmed a major new infrastructure investment designed to support the emirate's fast-developing tourism and gaming sector.
Wynn Boulevard, a newly announced AED 1bn ($272m) road project, will provide direct access to the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort ahead of its scheduled opening in March 2027.
The boulevard is set to link the $5bn integrated resort to the UAE's E311 and E611 highways, improving connections between Al Marjan Island, Dubai and other emirates.
Officials confirmed that contracts have been signed and construction has commenced, with Wynn Resorts contributing to design elements, including a new bridge, while Island 3 Infra Enterprises - a joint venture between Marjan, Wynn and RAK Hospitality Holding - is overseeing delivery. Wynn holds a 40% stake in the project, while the majority is retained by RAK Hospitality.
The launch of Wynn Boulevard coincides with Marjan's unveiling of Marjan Beach, a residential development covering 85 million square feet adjacent to the resort. The two projects are part of broader efforts to position Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for integrated tourism, combining large-scale hospitality, entertainment and residential offerings.
Progress on Wynn Al Marjan Island itself continues on schedule. According to CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli, 61 of the resort's 70 floors have already been completed, with a full opening targeted for March 2027.
The integrated resort will include over 1,500 rooms, luxury dining and entertainment venues, a marina and a 21,000-square-metre casino - the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Once operational, the resort is expected to attract both regional and international visitors, with officials forecasting 3.5m annual arrivals to Ras Al Khaimah by 2030.
The scale of the development has been matched by financial backing. In February 2025, Wynn Resorts secured a $2.4bn loan, the largest hospitality-related financing in UAE history, to fund construction. The operator has also highlighted the resort as one of its top global priorities, referencing its potential impact on future earnings during recent financial disclosures. Despite flat quarterly revenue growth, executives emphasised optimism around the project's ability to establish a long-term presence in the Gulf.
Industry analysts estimate that the UAE's gaming sector could eventually generate between $3bn and $8.5bn annually. While projections vary, the Wynn resort is widely viewed as a cornerstone of the market's development. With Ras Al Khaimah recently granting Wynn the country's first commercial gaming licence, the property is currently set to be the UAE's sole casino when it opens in 2027.
Discussion continues, however, about the longer-term prospects of additional resorts in the emirate. Last month, Wynn and its partners confirmed that land has been allocated on Al Marjan Island for a potential second integrated resort, covering nearly 1.5 million square feet. Trademarks such as "Marjan Strip" have been registered, suggesting interest in building a broader cluster of casino and hospitality developments similar to Las Vegas or Macau. Company representatives have stated that no final decisions will be taken until after the initial resort is operational, but the allocation of land and naming rights has fuelled speculation about Ras Al Khaimah's long-term ambitions.
For now, officials emphasise that Wynn Boulevard is primarily an infrastructure project, designed to ease access to the resort and its surrounding developments. Yet the timing of the road launch, alongside Wynn's construction progress and market forecasts, reflects the scale of preparation underway as Ras Al Khaimah positions itself as a regional hub for integrated resorts.
Construction progress on the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort itself continues to advance according to schedule, with CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli recently confirming that 61 of the development's 70 floors have been completed
