MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle says the company has submitted an application for a casino license in Abu Dhabi, the capital city and second most populous in the United Arab Emirates.
The update was provided while speaking at the Skift Global Forum 2024 and reported by the event’s organizer, global travel site Skift, late last week, with Hornbuckle’s comments suggesting the casino giant is opting for Abu Dhabi over Dubai where it is currently developing a number of MGM-branded hotels.
“Yes we have [applied]. We’ve done it in Abu Dhabi,” said Hornbuckle, according to Skift.
“The way it will work is the federal government in Abu Dhabi will approve it, we’ve applied for it and hopefully we’ll win the license there. Each ruler has their city, their state. Each can say yes or no.
“I hope and believe this year we’ll understand more about Abu Dhabi and the federal mandate and go from there.”
Hornbuckle has previously expressed an interest in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and revealed earlier this year that the company has a 150,000-square foot space set aside for future gaming purposes as part of its Dubai development, which includes the MGM, Bellagio and Aria hotel brands.
A final decision, he stated at the time, would depend on which emirates welcome casino gaming should a decree that would legalize the pastime be passed.
Asked about the Abu Dhabi opportunity at last week’s Skift Global Forum 2024, Hornbuckle clarified that the company would only develop there should it win a casino license “since that’s the business MGM is in”.
However, he also expressed confidence in the Abu Dhabi opportunity, stating, “Look, there’s a cultural barrier to get through but that has now happened. There’s going to be something happening in Abu Dhabi, it’ll take some time to build. Wynn is already out of the ground.”
Wynn Resorts, which is also pursuing a casino license, broke ground on its UAE integrated resort development last year on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah last year. Once open in 2027, the IR is slated to incorporate 1,500 rooms, suites and villas, the UAE’s first casino, 24 dining and lounge experiences, a spa and wellness experiences, a high-end shopping esplanade, a state-of-the-art events center, a theater hosting a unique production show, and more.
Newly formed regulatory body, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) – which is headed by former MGM boss Jim Murren – recently launched its website and issued the UAE’s first lottery license.

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